Structured Siloxane Foaming for Alcohol/Water Compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foaming agents are ineffective in forming stable foam in low surface tension liquids like alcohol/water compositions due to limited solubility and compatibility issues, necessitating the development of alternative compounds.
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 deteriorate due to poor compatibility with alcohol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the foaming agent by using structured siloxanes with specific molecular structures (dimethylpolysiloxane backbone with hydrophobic alkoxy modifications) and controlled molecular weights (1,000-6,000) to achieve both foaming capability and solubility in alcohol/water compositions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategy by combining structured siloxanes with additional compounds (polypropylene glycol homopolymers, propoxylated esters, ethoxylated alkane alcohols, ethoxylated alkyne alcohols, and/or alkanes) to create a synergistic foaming system that overcomes the limitations of individual components
2Object-generated harmful factors
If alcohol content in the composition is increased, then surface tension reduction is improved, but foam stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the molecular weight parameter of structured siloxanes (1,000-6,000) and the degree of alkoxy modification to optimize the balance between surface tension reduction and foam stability in high alcohol content compositions
Solution Approach 2:
The structured siloxane acts as an intermediary compound that bridges the incompatibility between alcohol and traditional surfactants, enabling foam formation and stabilization in high alcohol environments where conventional surfactants fail
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 low surface tension liquids, enabling applications in cleaning compositions, hand sanitizers, and hydrocarbon condensates, while providing stability and performance comparable to traditional surfactants.
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
These structured siloxanes are not surfactants due to their insolubility and are traditionally used and designed as defoaming agents
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.