Method for Inreasing the Efficiency of Surfactants, Extending the Temperature Window, and Suppressing Lamellar Mesophases in Microemulsion by Means of Additives, and Microemulsion

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent discloses a method for improving the performance of surfactants in microemulsions by incorporating specific additives—polymers containing both water-soluble and hydrophobic units. These additives enhance surfactant efficiency, expand the stable temperature range of microemulsions, and prevent the formation of unwanted lamellar mesophases, leading to more stable and effective microemulsions. The polymers are designed with a high ratio of hydrophilic to hydrophobic mass and are also cost-effective and more biodegradable than alternatives.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Cosmetic and personal care products such as lotions, creams, shampoos, and sunscreens, where stable microemulsions are required.
• Formulation of cleaning agents and household detergents for improved solubility and stability.
• Food industry applications for emulsifying oil and water-based ingredients.
• Production of pharmaceuticals, especially topical or transdermal formulations where controlled release is needed.
• Agricultural chemicals (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers) where effective emulsification enhances dispersion and application.
• Industrial lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and release agents requiring stable emulsions over a wide temperature range.
• Production of inks, paints, and coatings that require stable dispersions.
• Textile and leather care treatments.
• Improved oil recovery processes in petrochemical applications.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Increased efficiency of surfactants, allowing lower usage levels and reducing formulation costs.
• Wider temperature window, making microemulsions more robust under varying storage and application conditions.
• Suppression of undesirable lamellar phases, preventing issues like increased viscosity or phase separation.
• Formulation flexibility across a variety of oils, including hydrocarbons, esters, and silicone oils.
• Additives are often more biodegradable and environmentally friendly than previous polymeric additives, helping meet regulatory standards.
• Cost-effective and easy-to-manufacture additive structures, leveraging commercially available polymers.
• Compatibility with both ionic and nonionic surfactants, enabling broad application across different industries.
• No need for oil-specific modifications in the additive, facilitating universal application.

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Patent Abstract

A method for increasing the efficiency of surfactants, broadening the temperature window, and suppressing lamellar mesophases in microemulsions by use of additives that possess at least one water-soluble unit and one hydrophobic unit are added to the microemulsions. The ratio of the number-average molecular weight of water-soluble units to the number-average molecular weight of hydrophobic units is 2 to 1000, the additives being polymers that comprise at least one water-soluble unit that possesses at least one hydrophobic unit on one chain end and/or one hydrophobic unit as a non-terminal substituent and/or at least one hydrophobic unit that is incorporated between the water-soluble units of the polymer.