Liquid Surfactant Viscosity Control via AES Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid detergents face challenges in maintaining optimal viscosity for effective cleaning and easy transfer due to variations in surfactant ratios, leading to incorrect perception of cleaning performance based on viscosity and adherence to measuring cups.
Innovation Solution
A liquid surfactant composition comprising a C9-C20 alkylbenzene sulfonate, nonionic surfactant, and anionic surfactants, specifically a first and second alcohol ether sulfate (AES) surfactant, are combined at specific weight ratios to achieve a fresh viscosity of 350-550 centipoise, controlling viscosity without polymeric rheology modifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If polymeric rheology modifiers are used to control viscosity, then viscosity control is improved, but product complexity and potential for incorrect perception of cleaning performance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes polymeric rheology modifiers from the detergent composition, extracting the problematic component that caused viscosity instability and consumer misconception. Viscosity is controlled instead through the inherent properties of surfactant blends, specifically by adjusting the ratio of anionic to nonionic surfactants, eliminating the need for additional polymeric additives while maintaining stable rheology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach to viscosity control by modifying the chemical composition parameters - specifically the weight ratio of anionic surfactants to nonionic surfactants - rather than adding separate rheology modifiers. By optimizing this ratio, the composition achieves desired viscosity stability through the natural interactions of surfactant molecules, avoiding the need for polymeric additives.
2Strength
If viscosity is increased for effective cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but ease of transfer and dispensing worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter by adjusting surfactant composition ratios, specifically balancing anionic and nonionic surfactants to achieve a viscosity range that simultaneously provides effective cleaning performance and easy transferability. This parameter optimization ensures the detergent is neither too thick (which would hinder dispensing) nor too thin (which would reduce cleaning efficacy).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a blend of surfactants where the combined effect of multiple surfactant types provides the necessary viscosity for cleaning performance without requiring excessive viscosity from individual components. The synergistic interaction of surfactants achieves the desired rheological properties at moderate viscosity levels that remain easy to dispense.
3Reliability
If surfactant ratios are varied to optimize performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but viscosity stability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a dynamic balance in surfactant ratios that allows for optimization of cleaning effectiveness while maintaining viscosity stability. By defining specific ranges for anionic to nonionic surfactant ratios, the composition can be adjusted within these parameters to achieve different cleaning performances without causing significant viscosity variations, creating a flexible yet stable system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite surfactant system combining multiple types of anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants in specific ratios. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of different surfactant classes to maintain stable viscosity while allowing optimization of cleaning effectiveness through ratio adjustments within defined ranges.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid surfactant composition can include a C9-C20 alkylbenzene sulfonate, a nonionic surfactant, and an anionic surfactant. The anionic surfactant can include a first alcohol ether sulfate (AES) surfactant and a second AES surfactant. The first AES surfactant can have a molecular formula of R1—O—(CH2—CH2—O)m—SO3M, wherein R1 represents a C10-C20 alkyl group, m represents a number from 6 to 8, and M represents a monovalent cation. The second AES surfactant can have a molecular formula of R2—O—(CH2—CH2—O)n—SO3M′, wherein R2 represents a C10-C20 alkyl group, n is 2 or 3, and M′ represents a monovalent cation. The first AES surfactant and the second AES surfactant can be present in the liquid surfactant composition at a weight ratio to provide the liquid surfactant composition with a fresh viscosity from about 350 centipoise (cPS) to about 550 cps.