Sulfonate Copolymer Detergent Builder for Hard Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current detergent builders fail to effectively inhibit surfactant deposition, especially in hard water conditions, which reduces cleaning power and requires separate agents for anti-gelling and deposition inhibition.
Innovation Solution
Sulfonate group-containing copolymers with specific proportions of ether bond-containing, carboxyl group-containing, and sulfonate group-containing monomers are used in detergent compositions, enhancing deposition-inhibiting ability and stability under alkaline conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional detergent builders (zeolite, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol) are used, then basic cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but deposition-inhibiting ability is insufficient especially in hard water conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of detergent builders by introducing copolymers with specific functional groups (sulfonate, carboxyl, hydroxyl) in controlled ratios. The sulfonate group content is specifically adjusted to 1-50 mol% to optimize deposition inhibition while maintaining cleaning effectiveness, representing a parameter change from conventional builders to structured copolymers with tailored chemical composition
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite polymer structures by copolymerizing multiple monomers (sulfonate-containing monomers, carboxyl-containing monomers, and hydroxyl-containing monomers) to form a multi-functional detergent builder. This composite material combines the benefits of different functional groups in a single polymer system, providing both cleaning enhancement and superior deposition inhibition
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate agents are used for anti-gelling and deposition inhibition, then multiple functions are achieved, but detergent composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The copolymer detergent builder is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: cleaning enhancement through surfactant interaction, deposition inhibition by preventing surfactant-calcium binding, and anti-gelling properties through water structure modification. This single multi-functional component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate additives, simplifying the overall detergent formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of conventional detergent builders, deposition inhibitors, and anti-gelling agents into a single copolymer structure. By combining sulfonate groups (for deposition inhibition), carboxyl groups (for cleaning enhancement), and hydroxyl groups (for anti-gelling) within one polymer molecule, the patent consolidates multiple functional roles into one integrated component
Data Source
AI summary
[Problem] To provide detergent compositions with superior surfactant deposition-inhibiting ability and anti-gelling properties that exhibit good cleaning effectiveness even when laundering under harsh conditions such as laundering in residual bath water. [Solution] A laundry detergent or cleaning composition which comprises a copolymer containing sulfonate groups containing from 1 to 50 mass percent of structural units (a) derived from 1 or more kinds of monomers (A) selected from ether bond-containing monomers represented by Formulas (1) and (2), 50 mass% or more and less than 98 mass% of structural units (b) derived from a carboxyl group-containing monomer (B), and 1 mass% or more and less than 50 mass% of structural units (c) derived from a sulfonate group-containing monomer (C).