Soil Release Copolymers for Storage-Stable Liquid Detergents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellulose derivatives in water-based liquid detergents often lose their dirt-removing effectiveness after prolonged storage under unfavorable conditions, particularly when used in washing textiles.
Innovation Solution
The use of copolymers derived from radical polymerization of cyclic ketene acetals with acrylic and/or vinyl monomers, which are at least partially ammonium-substituted, enhances the cleaning performance of detergents by improving biodegradability and dirt-removal efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cellulose derivatives are used as soil release agents in water-based liquid detergents, then dirt-removing effect is initially achieved, but effectiveness diminishes after prolonged storage under unfavorable conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing traditional cellulose derivatives with copolymers containing ketene acetal units and ammonium-substituted monomers. This parameter change results in a polymer with enhanced stability that maintains its dirt-removing effectiveness throughout prolonged storage periods, directly resolving the contradiction between initial effectiveness and storage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite polymer structure combining ketene acetal units with ammonium-substituted acrylic or vinyl monomers. This composite material approach creates a soil release agent that integrates both the dirt-removing capability and storage stability into a single molecular architecture, eliminating the effectiveness loss observed with conventional cellulose derivatives.
2Reliability
If conventional soil release agents are used, then cleaning performance is maintained, but significant quantities of surfactants are required
Solution Approach 1:
The copolymer according to the invention performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a soil release agent, provides surfactant-like cleaning properties, and contributes to overall detergent performance. This multi-functionality allows reduction of surfactant quantities while maintaining cleaning performance, as the copolymer itself provides surface-active properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the functional parameters of the detergent formulation by introducing a copolymer with inherent surface-active properties. This parameter change enables the system to achieve the same cleaning performance with reduced surfactant content, as the copolymer compensates for the reduced surfactant quantity through its own amphiphilic character.
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 copolymers significantly improve the removal of grease and cosmetic soiling from textiles, reduce redeposition of dirt, and enhance the cleaning performance even after prolonged storage, with the potential to save significant quantities of surfactants while maintaining effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The copolymers significantly improve the removal of grease and cosmetic soiling from textiles
Implementation Method 2
enhance the cleaning performance of detergents when washing textiles
Implementation Method 3
reduce redeposition of dirt
Implementation Method 4
In the radical polymerization of cyclic ketene acetals, the acetal ring opens, giving rise to ester functionalities that can improve the biodegradability of the resulting polymer
Implementation Method 5
the acetal ring opens, giving rise to ester functionalities
Data Source
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to improve the cleaning performance of detergents during the laundering of textiles. This is achieved essentially by the use of copolymers obtainable by radical polymerisation of cyclic ketene acetals with acrylic and/or vinyl monomers which are at least proportionately ammonium-substituted.