Water-in-Silicone Emulsion Stability via Aqueous Gel Phase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-phase emulsions, particularly water-in-oil-in-water emulsions, face stability issues due to migration of internal water droplets, leading to phase inversion and instability, and existing solutions like crosslinked organopolysiloxane elastomers increase costs and energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A stable three-phase emulsion comprising an inner water-in-oil primary phase and an outer aqueous-gel secondary phase, with specific compositions and mixing procedures that do not require external heating, maintaining stability at various temperatures without the need for stabilization agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crosslinked organopolysiloxane elastomers are introduced into the oil phase to prevent droplet migration, then emulsion stability is improved, but manufacturing cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic crosslinked organopolysiloxane elastomers from the formulation entirely, replacing them with a simple aqueous outer phase containing conventional hydrophilic surfactants. This extraction of the complex stabilizing agent eliminates the need for expensive materials and complex crosslinking chemistry while maintaining emulsion stability through the aqueous phase formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes expensive, complex crosslinked elastomers with inexpensive, conventional hydrophilic surfactants and aqueous phase components. These simpler, cheaper materials achieve the same stabilizing function without requiring costly raw materials or complex processing, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If crosslinked organopolysiloxane elastomers are used to stabilize the emulsion, then droplet migration is prevented, but energy consumption during preparation and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for energy-intensive crosslinking processes and high-energy mixing requirements associated with organopolysiloxane elastomers. By using conventional aqueous phase surfactants, the formulation requires standard mixing energies without the additional thermal or mechanical energy needed for crosslinking reactions, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If surfactants with HLB value greater than 10 are used in high amounts, then emulsification is enhanced, but multiple phase emulsion stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the HLB value parameter of the surfactants used in the aqueous outer phase, selecting hydrophilic surfactants with appropriate HLB values that balance emulsification efficiency with multi-phase stability. By carefully controlling the surfactant composition and HLB characteristics, the formulation achieves both good emulsification and long-term stability of the water-in-oil-in-water structure without the instability caused by excessive use of high-HLB surfactants.
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 emulsion exhibits increased stability, high water-holding capacity, and aesthetically pleasing tactile properties, reducing production costs and time while maintaining stability over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
an outer aqueous-gel secondary phase
Implementation Method 2
stable three-phase emulsion that includes an inner water-in-oil primary phase and an outer aqueous-gel secondary phase
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a water-in-silicone emulsion comprising a discontinuous water phase, a continuous silicone phase, and a silicone polyglucoside containing emulsifier, wherein the discontinuous water phase does not include a salt.