Sulfo-estolide Mixed Salt Phase Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sulfo-estolide compositions often exhibit phase instability, leading to precipitation or separation issues, which complicates their use in concentrated forms for cleaning and personal care applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of phase-stable sulfo-estolide compositions comprising mixed salts of sodium and potassium, achieved through specific pH adjustments and salt ratios, which maintain a clear, homogeneous liquid form and improve physical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If sulfo-estolide compositions are used in concentrated forms, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but phase instability occurs leading to precipitation or separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the pH level to specific ranges (pH 4.5-7.5 for bleaching, pH 6.0-8.0 for final composition) and controlling the ratio of sodium to potassium salts. These parameter adjustments transform the physical and chemical properties of the sulfo-estolide composition, enabling it to maintain phase stability at high concentrations while preventing precipitation and separation issues that would otherwise occur.
2Stability of the object's composition
If mixed salts of sodium and potassium are used, then phase stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the use of two different salt systems (sodium salts and potassium salts) into a single mixed salt composition. By combining NaOH and KOH in specific ratios during the neutralization step, the invention achieves synergistic phase stability benefits while streamlining the manufacturing process into a unified procedure that can be implemented in standard industrial equipment without requiring separate processing lines for different salt types.
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 mixed salt compositions demonstrate enhanced phase stability, reduced viscosity, and improved solubility, enabling their use in concentrated forms without precipitation or separation, thus addressing the stability issues in sulfo-estolide-based cleaning and personal care products.
Implementation Method 1
bleaching the neutralized sulfo-estolide salt with hydrogen peroxide at a pH level in the range of about 4.5 to about 7.5
Implementation Method 2
The mixed salt compositions demonstrate enhanced phase stability, reduced viscosity, and improved solubility
Data Source
AI summary
Sulfo-estolides and methods of making them are described. Also described are phase-stable compositions formed from mixtures of different salts of sulfo-estolides, particularly mixtures of sodium and potassium salts of sulfo-estolides, and methods of obtaining phase-stable sulfo-estolide mixed salt compositions. The sulfo-estolide mixed salt compositions can be used in detergent formulations, such as laundry detergents, household, industrial and institutional cleaning formulations, and person care products.