Self-Inverting Latex with Polyglycerol Esters for Low-Temperature Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for self-inverting inverse latexes that are free from ethoxylated surfactants and can be used at room temperature without increasing viscosity or destabilization, while maintaining rapid inversion speed and stability in polar phases, to meet consumer demands and regulatory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A self-invertible inverse latex comprising a crosslinked anionic polyelectrolyte with specific monomeric units, a fatty phase, and emulsifying systems, which can be prepared at temperatures below 50°C, ensuring a viscosity of less than 8,000 mPa.s and rapid inversion in polar phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ethoxylated surfactants are used as inverting agents, then stable oil-in-water emulsions can be prepared with sufficient HLB values, but consumer demands and regulatory requirements are not met due to the need to reduce ethylene oxide units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing ethoxylated surfactants with polyglycerol esters and glycerol oligomers as inverting agents. These alternative surfactants achieve the necessary HLB values through different molecular structures (polyglycerol chains with fatty acid esters) rather than ethylene oxide units, thus maintaining emulsion stability while complying with regulatory requirements to reduce ethylene oxide content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs readily available, naturally-derived polyglycerol esters and glycerol oligomers as substitutes for synthetic ethoxylated surfactants. These alternative inverting agents are processed through standard esterification reactions and can be used at appropriate concentrations to achieve stable self-inverting inverse latexes without requiring complex synthesis procedures.
2Ease of manufacture
If alkyl polyglycosides are used as inverting agents, then self-inverting inverse latexes can be prepared, but the process requires temperatures above the melting point (generally 70°C) which increases viscosity and leads to destabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the inverting agent by using polyglycerol esters and glycerol oligomers that remain liquid or semi-liquid at room temperature and below 50°C. This eliminates the need for high-temperature processing required by solid alkyl polyglycosides, thereby maintaining low viscosity and preventing destabilization during the preparation of self-inverting inverse latexes.
3Productivity
If the inversion speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but the stability of the inverse latex in polar phases may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the HLB parameters of the polyglycerol ester and glycerol oligomer inverting agents to achieve a balance between inversion speed and stability. By selecting appropriate molecular weights, fatty acid chain lengths, and polyglycerol degrees of polymerization, the inverting agents provide sufficient hydrophilicity for rapid inversion while maintaining adequate hydrophobic interaction for stable oil-in-water emulsion formation in polar phases.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a stable, easily handled inverse latex with rapid inversion properties, suitable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations, maintaining consistency and stability over time.
Implementation Method 1
Their addition is intended to modify and adjust the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of the water-in-oil emulsion comprising the polymer so as to obtain a mixture which, once added to a polar phase such as water, will change the direction of emulsion from the water-in-oil form to the oil-in-water form
Implementation Method 2
During such a physical phenomenon, the crosslinked and/or branched polyelectrolyte polymer unfolds in said polar phase and forms a three-dimensional network allowing the polar phase to swell, which is manifested by an increase in the viscosity of this polar phase
Implementation Method 3
a self-invertible inverse latex comprising a crosslinked anionic polyelectrolyte with specific monomeric units, a fatty phase, and emulsifying systems
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-invertible inverse latex comprising, as an inverting agent, surfactant species of the polyglycerol ester family; the use thereof as a thickening and/or emulsifying and/or stabilising agent for a cosmetic, dermopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical topical composition, and cosmetic, dermopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical topical compositions containing same. The invention also relates to a new surfactant composition containing polyglycerol esters.