Structured Siloxane Foaming in High-Alcohol Water Mixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foaming agents are ineffective in alcohol/water compositions due to low surface tension, limiting the availability of suitable compounds for foaming these liquids, especially at high alcohol content.
Innovation Solution
Structured siloxanes with a dimethylpolysiloxane backbone and hydrophobic alkoxy modifications are used as foaming agents, combined with additional compounds like polypropylene glycol homopolymers and ethoxylated alkane alcohols, to create stable foam in alcohol/water compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional surfactants are used in alcohol/water compositions, then foaming capability is improved, but solubility and compatibility worsen due to poor dissolution in high alcohol content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the foaming agent by using fluorinated surfactants with specific molecular structures (containing CF3 and CF2 groups) that alter solubility characteristics. These structural modifications enable the surfactant to remain soluble and compatible in high alcohol content compositions while maintaining effective foaming capability, thus resolving the contradiction between foaming performance and compositional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite molecular structures that combine hydrophobic fluorinated chains with hydrophilic polar groups. This composite structure allows the surfactant to interact effectively with both alcohol and water phases, achieving solubility in alcohol/water compositions while maintaining surface-active properties for foaming. The dual-nature molecular design resolves the compatibility issue while preserving foaming function.
2Reliability
If alcohol content in the composition is increased, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but availability of suitable foaming agents worsens due to limited compound compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of available surfactants by introducing fluorinated groups with specific chain lengths and configurations. These parameter changes enhance the surfactant's ability to function in high alcohol environments, expanding the range of usable foaming agents in disinfection compositions with elevated alcohol content.
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 structured siloxanes effectively foam alcohol/water solutions and hydrocarbon condensates, providing stable foam structures even at high alcohol content, suitable for cleaning compositions and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
Foaming compositions may reduce the surface tension of a liquid by adsorbing at the liquid-gas interface
Implementation Method 2
They may also reduce the interfacial tension between oil or alcohol and water by adsorbing at the liquid-liquid interface
Implementation Method 3
a hydrophobic section that repels water and simultaneously attaches itself to compounds, which include hydrocarbons
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes structured siloxanes which can foam in low surface tension solutions. The foaming compositions may form foam in alcohol/water and hydrocarbon condensates. The foaming compositions may replace surfactants in other compositions. The disclosure also includes sterilizing alcohol compositions, cleaning compositions, such as hard surface cleaners, warewash detergents, rinse aids, hand sanitizers, and the like which incorporate the same.