Gas Bubble Encapsulation via Silicic Acid Complexation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing gas-in-water dispersions face challenges such as poor stability at room temperature, toxicity of components, health hazards, and high costs, particularly in foams and aerosol products, where gas bubbles coalesce easily and require specific conditions for stability, limiting their application in industries like food and cosmetics.
Innovation Solution
The process involves preparing gas-in-water dispersions using silicic acid complexation to create a rigid interface between gas bubbles and the water phase, where silicate salts are adjusted to produce anionic complexes that encapsulate the bubbles, enhancing stability and preventing coalescence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional surfactants and polymers are used to stabilize aerated dispersions, then short-term stability is achieved, but the product becomes sensitive to temperature and pH changes and has poor long-term stability at room temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the stabilization system by using silicic acid complexation instead of conventional surfactants and polymers. This chemical parameter change enables the system to achieve stability while being less sensitive to temperature and pH variations, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite stabilization mechanism involving silicate salts, silicic acid, and cationic surfaces on gas bubbles. This composite approach creates a rigid interface that provides robust stability while maintaining versatility across different temperature and pH conditions
2Stability of the object's composition
If toxic components are used to stabilize formulated products, then stability is improved, but health hazards and removal/neutralization costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive, toxic stabilization components with inexpensive, non-toxic silicate salts and silicic acid. These natural components provide effective stabilization without the health hazards and costly removal processes associated with conventional toxic stabilizers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts potentially harmful components into beneficial ones by using naturally occurring silicate salts and silicic acid that form stable, non-toxic complexes at the gas-liquid interface, eliminating health hazards while maintaining stability
3Ease of manufacture
If aerosol cans are used to simultaneously inject gas and solution, then product preparation is simplified, but stability requires frozen conditions or complex formulations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-forming rigid interfaces through silicic acid complexation before product use. This preliminary stabilization allows the product to remain stable at room temperature without requiring frozen conditions or complex aerosol formulations, simplifying both manufacture and storage
4Stability of the object's composition
If hydrophobic particles are used to stabilize gas bubbles, then moderate stability is achieved, but coalescence occurs and re-dispersion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the surface charge parameter from hydrophobic to cationic on gas bubbles. This parameter change allows for stable encapsulation while maintaining ease of re-dispersion, as the charged interface prevents coalescence but does not create the same re-dispersion difficulties as hydrophobic particles
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
This method achieves stable gas-in-water dispersions that remain stable for extended periods, including up to two years at room temperature, allowing for the formulation of products with improved properties suitable for various applications without the drawbacks of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
the pH adjusted so that silicic acid is produced, creating anionic complexes that are attracted to the cationic surface of the bubbles
Implementation Method 2
silicic acid complexation allow for the formation of a rigid interface between the gas bubble and the water phase
Implementation Method 3
The bubbles can be individually encapsulated, which may prevent coalescence or so-called Oswald-ripening, resulting in increased stability
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods of preparing stable gas-in-water dispersions by silicic acid complexation of micron-sized gas bubbles, and stable dispersions prepared by silicic acid complexation. Compositions and products comprising the dispersions are also disclosed. Dispersions may be stable over an extended period of time at room temperature.