Silicon Dioxide Preparation for Low-Viscosity Toothpaste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toothpaste formulations using silicon dioxide as abrasive suffer from high viscosity, leading to caking issues under vibration, poor dispersity, and difficulty in rinsing, while traditional preparation methods result in silicon dioxide adherence during processing, complicating discharge and filtration.
Innovation Solution
A method involving controlled temperature, pH, and stirring rate in the preparation of silicon dioxide solution, followed by filtration, washing, drying, and sieving to achieve low viscosity and high dispersity, ensuring silicon dioxide does not adhere during processing and results in a product suitable for toothpaste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gel method is used to prepare silicon dioxide, then silicon dioxide can be obtained with stable physical and chemical properties, but the viscosity becomes too large (over 3000 cp) resulting in low dispersity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the preparation parameters by controlling pH (0.5-3.0), temperature (40-60°C), and adding agents (sulfuric acid, sodium silicate solution) to transform the gel structure into a sol state, reducing viscosity from over 3000 cp to below 1000 cp while maintaining stable physical and chemical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic stirring at controlled rates (350-500 rpm) during the preparation process to maintain uniform distribution and prevent aggregation, ensuring low viscosity and high dispersity throughout the production cycle
2Strength
If high viscosity silicon dioxide is used in toothpaste, then abrasive performance is maintained, but the toothpaste becomes prone to caking under high-frequency vibrations of electric toothbrushes
Solution Approach 1:
By controlling the particle size distribution (D50: 5-15 μm, D90: 15-30 μm) and surface properties through pH adjustment and aging treatment, the patent reduces interparticle friction and viscosity, preventing caking while preserving abrasive effectiveness
3Quantity of substance
If high viscosity toothpaste is prepared, then abrasive coverage is improved, but the toothpaste becomes difficult to seep between teeth and difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter to be below 1000 cp, which balances abrasive coverage with ease of application and removal, allowing the toothpaste to flow smoothly between teeth and rinse easily without compromising cleaning coverage
4Productivity
If traditional gel method is used for preparing silicon dioxide, then silicon dioxide can be produced, but it adheres into a reaction tank in a gel state during the preparation process and is difficult to discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses continuous periodic stirring at 350-500 rpm during the preparation process to prevent gel adhesion to the reaction tank walls, maintaining fluidity and enabling easy discharge while ensuring complete production cycles
5Manufacturing precision
If silicon dioxide with narrow particle size distribution is prepared, then uniformity is improved, but viscosity increases making it less suitable for toothpaste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size distribution parameters (D50: 5-15 μm, D90: 15-30 μm) and controls pH and temperature to achieve a balance between uniformity and low viscosity, ensuring the silicon dioxide is suitable for toothpaste applications
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 prepared silicon dioxide exhibits low viscosity and high dispersity, preventing caking and easy rinsing, with improved stability in toothpaste, suitable for long-term storage.
Implementation Method 1
dropwise adding the sulfuric acid solution to the water and stirring at the same time at a rate of 350-500 rpm until pH reaches 0.5-3.0; then, dropwise adding the sodium silicate solution and the sulfuric acid solution to the water for 1-1.5 hrs
Implementation Method 2
heating the water to 40-60° C., and dropwise adding the sulfuric acid solution to the water
Implementation Method 3
stirring at the same time at a rate of 350-500 rpm until pH reaches 0.5-3.0; then, dropwise adding the sodium silicate solution and the sulfuric acid solution to the water for 1-1.5 hrs
Implementation Method 4
after aging and stirring, adjusting the final pH to 2-5 with the sodium silicate solution
Implementation Method 5
filter-pressing and washing the silicon dioxide solution with water to obtain a filter cake
Implementation Method 6
drying and crushing the filter cake, and sieving the filter cake to obtain silicon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
A preparation method for silicon dioxide, controls temperature, pH and stirring rate in steps of preparing a silicon dioxide solution to exert an influence on the stability of a silicon dioxide solution gel system. The prepared silicon dioxide solution has a low viscosity, and finally prepared silicon dioxide has a high dispersity. The prepared silicon dioxide solution with a low viscosity will not adhere to a reaction tank, thus being easy to discharge. When the silicon dioxide prepared by the preparation method is used for preparing a toothpaste, since the silicon dioxide shows high dispersity due to its large BET specific area, low oil absorption and low viscosity, paste of the prepared toothpaste is not prone to caking and can be rinsed off easily. The paste of the prepared toothpaste shows high stability in a follow-up test of the viscosity stability of the toothpaste, thus being suitable for long-term storage.