Viscoelastic Solid Surfactant Composition Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid surfactant compositions lack viscoelastic behavior independent of surfactant phase behavior, leading to stability and dissolution issues in aqueous media, and they are typically opaque, which is not visually appealing to consumers.
Innovation Solution
A viscoelastic, solid surfactant composition is formulated with 0.1 to 70% surfactant and a specific organic compound, such as a diketopiperazine, which provides stability and transparency, allowing for easy dissolution in water and improved aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If solid surfactant compositions are formulated conventionally, then they provide stable storage and good cleaning performance, but they are opaque and lack visual appeal to consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the surfactant composition by incorporating specific organic compounds (diketopiperazines) and controlling molecular weight distributions, which transforms the composition from opaque to transparent while maintaining solid form and storage stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining surfactants with specific organic compounds (formula I and II) that have complementary properties, where the organic compounds act as structure-making agents that enable transparency while the surfactant provides cleaning functionality and stability
2Ease of operation
If solid surfactant compositions are used in single-dose portions, then convenient dosing is achieved, but rapid dissolution in water is required to avoid substrate damage from overconcentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the surfactant composition maintains structural integrity in solid form for stable dosing, but rapidly transitions to dissolved state upon contact with water through controlled phase behavior and molecular interactions with the added organic compounds
3Stability of the object's composition
If viscoelastic behavior is achieved in solid surfactant compositions, then storage stability is improved, but formulation freedom is limited by phase behavior requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces organic compounds with universal structure-making capabilities that can work with various types of surfactants (ionic and nonionic), providing viscoelastic behavior and stability enhancement across different surfactant systems without being limited to specific phase behavior requirements
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 composition exhibits excellent storage stability, rapid dissolution in water, and a transparent or translucent appearance, enhancing both performance and consumer acceptance.
Implementation Method 1
The viscoelastic solid surfactant composition exhibits virtually no syneresis even upon prolonged storage... the storage modulus is greater than the loss modulus... the composition has a storage modulus between 10³ and 10⁶ Pa
Implementation Method 2
it has become an object of the invention to provide solid surfactant compositions, in particular as a single-dose portion in the form of a particulate shaped body, which dissolve well in water or can be dispersed therein upon contact with water
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a viscoelastic, solid surfactant composition for treating textiles, the composition comprising, based on the total weight thereof, (i) a total amount of 0.1 to 70 wt% of at least one surfactant and (ii) at least one organic compound having a molecular weight of < 1000 g/mol, a solubility in water of less than 0.1 g/L (20 °C, pH 7) and a structure containing a) at least two groups selected from -OH, -NH- or mixtures thereof, and b) at least one carbocyclic structural unit having at least two endocyclic double bonds, in particular at least one carbocyclic, aromatic structural unit, and c) at least one additional cyclic structural unit that comprises at least two carbonyl groups, and (iii) water. The viscoelastic, solid surfactant composition is a readily soluble, aesthetically pleasing and storage-stable form of a solid composition for preparing surfactant-containing liquors.