Silicone Microemulsion Composition Surface Tension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional silicone microemulsions obtained using alkyl-type nonionic surfactants face challenges in lowering surface tension, which affects their wettability and efficiency in cosmetic and household applications.

Innovation Solution

A silicone microemulsion composition is developed by microemulsifying a carboxy-modified organopolysiloxane using a silicone-based nonionic surfactant, specifically a polyether-modified organopolysiloxane, to achieve a lower surface tension and improved properties such as excellent light transmittance and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If alkyl-type nonionic surfactants are used to obtain silicone microemulsions, then the microemulsion can be formed with average particle size of 100 nm or less, but the surface tension cannot be sufficiently lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicroemulsion stabilityVSAvoidsurface tension
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameter of the surfactant from alkyl-type to silicone-based polyether-modified structure. This parameter change enables the surfactant to simultaneously achieve microemulsion formation with 100 nm or less particle size and sufficiently lower surface tension, resolving the contradiction between emulsion stability and surface tension reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite surfactant structure combining polyether-modified organopolysiloxane with specific functional groups. This composite structure integrates the emulsification capability (forming stable microemulsion with small particle size) and the surface tension reduction capability, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional alkyl-type nonionic surfactants are used, then microemulsion can be obtained, but wettability of the treated material is not improved sufficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidwettability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surfactant's chemical structure parameter by using silicone-based polyether-modified organopolysiloxane instead of conventional alkyl-type surfactants. This structural parameter change enables the surfactant to reduce surface tension more effectively, thereby improving wettability while maintaining microemulsion stability with particle size of 100 nm or less.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 resulting silicone microemulsion exhibits a lower surface tension, improved wettability, and stability, with an average particle size of not more than 100 nm, enhancing its performance in cosmetic and household products.

Implementation Method 1

a silicone microemulsion composition comprising: (A) 100 parts by mass of a carboxy-modified organopolysiloxane... (B) 25 to 75 parts by mass of a polyether-modified organopolysiloxane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicroemulsion: Microemulsion

Implementation Method 2

The silicone microemulsion composition is obtained by using the polyether-modified organopolysiloxane of the component (B) as a silicone-based nonionic surfactant to microemulsify the carboxy-modified organopolysiloxane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP2514405B1Silicone Microemulsion Composition
Publication Date: 2014.01.22 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD

AI summary

A silicone microemulsion composition obtained by microemulsifying a carboxy-modified organopolysiloxane, and having a lower surface tension than conventional microemulsions. The composition includes 100 parts by mass of a specific carboxy-modified organopolysiloxane (A), 25 to 75 parts by mass of a specific polyether-modified organopolysiloxane (B), 0.1 to 10 parts by mass of an anionic surfactant, and 20 to 6,000 parts by mass of water, wherein the average particle size of the emulsion particles is not more than 100 nm.