Textile Microcapsule Coating for Wash-Resistant Active Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for binding microcapsules to textile materials result in low washproofness and short permanence of active ingredients, leading to loss during washing, as surfactants in washing agents can penetrate and solubilize the microcapsules, causing the active ingredients to be removed from the fabric.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the dissolution of hydrophilic colloids in a solvent, adjustment of pH, coacervation, cross-linking, cationization, and binding of microcapsules to fibers, followed by drying, which results in a stable and compact polymeric coating that maintains the active ingredients on the textile material through multiple washes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microcapsules are bound to textile materials using existing methods, then the active ingredients can be applied to the fabric, but the washproofness and permanence are low causing loss during washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite polymeric coating system comprising multiple polymers (polymer 1 forming the base coating and polymer 2 forming the outer layer) with different properties. This composite structure creates a more robust microcapsule shell that resists surfactant penetration and mechanical stress during washing, thereby improving washproofness and reducing active ingredient loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs chemical cross-linking to modify the physical and chemical parameters of the polymeric coating. By introducing cross-links between polymer chains, the coating becomes more compact and less permeable to surfactants, significantly enhancing the microcapsules' resistance to washing and improving retention of active ingredients
2Reliability
If the polymeric coating is made more compact to prevent surfactant penetration, then washproofness improves, but the coating process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary cross-linking of the polymeric coating before the final binding step to the textile material. This preliminary action creates a pre-stabilized, compact coating structure that is then applied to the fabric, simplifying the overall process while ensuring the coating's resistance properties are established in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cross-linking agent as an intermediary substance that facilitates the formation of a compact polymeric network. This intermediary enables the creation of a dense, surfactant-resistant coating without requiring complex equipment or multi-step procedures, as the cross-linking agent chemically bridges polymer chains to form the desired compact structure
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 process ensures greater than 5% retention of active ingredients after 10 washes, providing a durable and long-lasting treatment for textile materials, enhancing their functional characteristics such as cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or insect repellent properties.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting the pH and/or diluting the previous suspension to cause the coacervation of the colloids and their deposition on the active ingredient which is thus encapsulated
Implementation Method 2
The continual deposition of the polymer is brought about a reduction in the system's free energy, due to a reduction of the surface area during the coalescence of the polymeric coacervate which results in the formation of a continual coating around the encapsulated active ingredient. Next, the hardening of the polymeric coating of the coacervate is carried out, in a process known as cross-linking
Implementation Method 3
cationizing the microcapsules with a polymer or a cationic monomer, e) linking or binding of the microcapsules to the fibers and/or textile materials
Data Source
Figure 1a~1f
AI summary
Process of treatment of textile materials containing microcapsules of active ingredients, the fibers and/or textile materials resulting from this process and their cosmetic or pharmaceutical use and/or their use as a repellent.