Water-Soluble Star Polymers for Cleaning Foam Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing urethane polymers are primarily water-swellable and not water-soluble, which limits their application in providing surface wetting and sustained foaming benefits in cleaning compositions.

Innovation Solution

Development of water-dispersible or water-soluble star polymers with a core and radiating arms, featuring reactive groups and crosslinking via isocyanate groups with hydrophilizing molecules like polyethylene glycol, to create a composition that enhances wetting and foaming characteristics in cleaning products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional urethane polymers are used, then structural properties are provided for furniture foam, contact lenses, wound dressings, adhesives, curable coatings, but water solubility and surface wetting benefits are not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater solubilityVSAvoidlack of surface wetting capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of urethane polymers by incorporating hydrophilic groups (polyethylene glycol chains) into the polymer structure. This modifies the polymer's water interaction properties, transforming it from water-insoluble to water-dispersible and water-soluble, thereby achieving both structural integrity and surface wetting capability in cleaning compositions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining hydrophobic urethane segments with hydrophilic polyethylene glycol chains. This composite architecture allows the material to simultaneously provide structural properties (from the urethane backbone) and water solubility/surface wetting benefits (from the PEG side chains), resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and water interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If water-insoluble urethane polymers are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but application in cleaning compositions for sustained foaming is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidapplication range in cleaning compositions

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the solubility parameter of urethane polymers by controlling the degree of polyethylene glycol incorporation and molecular weight. This allows the polymer to transition from water-insoluble to water-dispersible and water-soluble states, expanding its adaptability for use in aqueous cleaning compositions while preserving structural integrity through optimized crosslinking density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If minimal amounts of detergent ingredients are used, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but foam longevity and performance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidfoam longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophilic urethane polymer acts as an intermediary substance that stabilizes foam structures. The polymer's amphiphilic nature allows it to position itself at air-water interfaces, forming a protective barrier that prevents foam collapse. This intermediary function extends foam longevity without requiring increased amounts of traditional detergent ingredients, thereby maintaining high cleaning efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 polymers significantly increase foam longevity and performance in cleaning compositions, providing enhanced wetting and cleaning capabilities, even in the presence of soil, with minimal amounts of detergent ingredients.

Implementation Method 1

an isocyanate group on each arm bonds with at least one hydrophilizing molecule containing at least 2 hydrophilic groups per molecule to provide the crosslinking between star polymers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The polymers significantly increase foam longevity and performance in cleaning compositions, providing enhanced wetting and cleaning capabilities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface Tension: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentEP2694584B1Multi-arm hydrophilic urethane polymers, methods of making them, and compositions and processes employing them

Publication Date: 2017.03.08 STEPAN COMPANY

AI summary

Hydrophilic, multi-arm urethane polymers are described that are dispersible and/or soluble in water, and provide wetting, foaming an cleaning benefits for aqueous cleaning products, including hard surface cleaners, machine dishwash, and liquid hand dishwash compositions. At least one composition manufactured via the reaction of at least one C1-6 polyol with at least one diisocyanate, followed by reaction with at least one low molecular weight polyethylene glycol. At least some of the arms of the star polymer are crosslinked via bonds formed between the diisocyanate groups at the free-end of each arm and at least one hydrophilizing molecule that possesses at least two hydrophilic groups per molecule. The star polymer has from 1 to 6 arms. The hydrophilizing molecule is polyethylene glycol that reacts across the diisocyanates attached to different core groups lightly crosslinking the star polymers to provide the water-soluble and/or water-dispersible polymers.