Wetting Composition for Non-Aqueous Liquids Using C10-C14 Alcohols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wetting compositions for non-aqueous liquids face challenges in effectively lowering the surface tension of high-energy liquids to improve wettability on low-energy surfaces, often relying on toxic or environmentally harmful surfactants like fluorosurfactants and organosilicone surfactants, which have limitations such as high toxicity and bioaccumulation.
Innovation Solution
A wetting composition comprising 10-50% C10-C14 alcohol, 10-30% C4-C6 oxygen-containing co-solvent, and 20-60% surfactant, specifically non-ionic, cationic, anionic, or amphoteric surfactants, is used to reduce the surface tension of non-aqueous liquids, enhancing their ability to wet low-energy surfaces without the use of organosilicone or fluorosurfactants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional surfactants like fluorosurfactants and organosilicone surfactants are used to lower surface tension, then wetting performance on low-energy surfaces is improved, but toxicity and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using C10-C14 alcohols (specific chain length) combined with C4-C6 oxygen-containing co-solvents and conventional surfactants, achieving the desired surface tension reduction while maintaining environmental safety. This parameter optimization allows effective wetting without toxic fluorosurfactants or organosilicones
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite wetting composition by combining multiple components: C10-C14 alcohols, C4-C6 oxygen-containing co-solvents, and conventional surfactants. This composite approach synergistically achieves low surface tension and good wetting performance while avoiding the toxicity of single-component traditional surfactants
2Ease of operation
If conventional surfactants are used to reduce surface tension of non-aqueous liquids, then wetting ability is enhanced, but environmental bioaccumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the hydrocarbon chain length parameters (C10-C14 alcohols with C4-C6 co-solvents) to achieve effective wetting while ensuring environmental compatibility. This parameter control prevents bioaccumulation while maintaining the wetting enhancement needed for non-aqueous liquid applications
3Stability of the object's composition
If high surface tension liquids are used, then liquid stability is maintained, but spreading on low-energy surfaces is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention carefully controls the surface tension reduction by selecting specific alcohol chain lengths (C10-C14) and co-solvent ratios (C4-C6 oxygen-containing), achieving just enough surface tension reduction to enable spreading on low-energy surfaces while preserving sufficient liquid stability for practical application
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 achieves significant reductions in surface tension, comparable to or exceeding those of traditional surfactants, while being environmentally friendly and non-toxic, allowing for improved wetting performance on hydrophobic surfaces without the drawbacks of existing surfactants.
Implementation Method 1
The wetting composition can lower the surface tension of a non-aqueous liquid composition
Implementation Method 2
The ability of a liquid to wet the surface of a solid substrate is measured by the interfacial energy between the liquid and the solid
Implementation Method 3
adhesive forces promoting interaction of the liquid molecules with air
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the use of a wetting composition comprising a surfactant selected from a non-ionic, cationic, anionic and amphoteric surfactant in combination with from 10 to less than 50 wt % of at least one C10 to C14 alcohol and 10 to 30 wt % of a C4-C6 oxygen containing co-solvent in lowering the surface tension of non-aqueous liquids, to methods for using the wetting composition, and products including non-aqueous compositions containing the wetting composition.