WO1995023839A1

WO1995023839A1 - Use of a detergent composition for cleaning fabrics or hard surfaces

Info

Publication number: WO1995023839A1
Application number: PCT/EP1995/000793
Authority: WO
Inventors: Elke Philippsen-Neu; Burkhard Weuste
Original assignee: Akzo Nobel NV
Current assignee: Akzo Nobel NV
Priority date: 1994-03-04
Filing date: 1995-03-03
Publication date: 1995-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 1996-09-04

Abstract

Disclosed is the use of a detergent composition for cleaning fabrics or hard surfaces which comprises a nonionic glycolipid surfactant which is an aldobionamide, an aniomic surfactant, and an aluminosilicate, wherein the surfactant concentration in the washing liquor is in the range between 0,05 and 1 g/l, preferably between 0,1 and 0,5 g/l, at a temperature of at least 25 °C.

Description

USE OF A DETERGENT COMPOSITION FOR CLEANING FABRICS OR HARD SURFACES

The invention relates to the use of a detergent composition for cleaning fabrics or hard surfaces which comprises a nonionic glycolipid surfactant which is an aldobionamide, an anionic surfactant, and an aluminosilicate.

Most surfactants currently used in detergent compositions are based on petrochemicals. In view of environmental concern there is a constant need to substitute biodegradable surfactants for at least a portion of the known petrochemicals-based surfactants. A proposal for such a substitution is made in EP-A-550278, where the usual petrochemicals-based nonionic surfactants are replaced by a nonionic glycolipid surfactant which is an aldobionamide. In Examples 19 and 20 of said prior art reference the detergency of said compositions was evaluated using Tergotometer tests at 15°C in various ratios of anionic linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) to the aldobionamide, i.e. lactobionamide, or another commercially available ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, Neodol (Trade Mark) 25-7 (alkyl chain lengths of 12-15 carbons with 7 ethoxy groups).

Comparing the results obtained, with said Neodol 25-7 with those employing the lactobionamides, it appears that under said test conditions the known nonionic surfactant outperforms the lactobionamides in both the pure and mixed active systems. In Example 21 samples of C₁₂ lactobionamide and said Neodol 25-7 were evaluated against VCD cloths at tergotometer conditions of 40°C, 120 ppm hardness, and pH 9,7 (mild condition) in various ratios of anionic (LAS) to the nonionics. The results for these mild conditions (40°C, 120 ppm) gave results comparable to the same tests run at 15°C and 180 ppm, that is the C₁₂-lactobionamide performs at par or a little better than the Neodol 25-7 when tested in mixed nonionic/anionic systems. In view of the relatively high price of aldobionamides when compared with the known petrochemicals-based nonionic surfactants, the results reported in said patent application are such that they do not invite a skilled person to go ahead with the nonionic glycolipid surfactants disclosed therein.

Surprisingly, it has been found that it is possible to either increase the detergency of the known compositions to a considerable extent, so that it will be at least equal to the detergency of the known petrochemicals-based compositions while generally greatly surpassing it, or to make use of a surfactant concentration far below the concentration used in actual practice.

The invention consists in that the detergent compositions of the known type are used in such an amount that the surfactant concentration in the washing liquor is in the range between 0,05 and 1 g/l at a temperature of at least 25°C.

In view of environmental concern there is a constant need for detergent compositions which are for the main part biodegradable.

Accordingly, the invention provides in the use of a detergent composition which comprises a surfactant composition wherein use is made of a biodegradable anionic surfactant.

Optimum results have been obtained when the detergent composition is used at a temperature in the range between 30° and 60°C,

According to the invention, good results may already be obtained with a surfactant concentration in the washing liquor in the range between 0,05 and 0,8 g/l, whereas best results at a minimum concentration are generally obtained with a surfactant concentration in the range between 0,1 and 0,5 g/l, preference being given to a surfactant concentration between 0,15 and 0,25 g/l washing liquor.

Higher surfactant concentrations are suitable, but do not substantially contribute to a better performance and are merely cost price increasing. Further, the beneficial results according to the present invention will be obtained only in the presence of a synergistic amount of an aluminosilicate. Good results are generally obtained with a concentration of the aluminosilicate in the washing liquor between 1 and 1,7 g/l washing liquor.

The aldobionamides with which the invention is concerned generally have the structure:

ANR₁R₂ wherein A is a sugar moiety which is an aldobionic acid except that it does not contain the OH group normally extending from the carbonyl group on the aldobionic acid;

NR₁R₂ is attached where the hydroxyl group on the aldobionic acid would normally be found; and

R₁ and R₂ may be the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom or a group corresponding to the general formula:

.

wherein X represents H or a C₁ - C₄ alkyl group,

Y represents a group or atom selected from

-O-, -S-, -NH-,

,

R₃ represents a straight of branched hydrocarbon radical containing at least 8 carbon atoms, which contains optionally a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or cycloaliphatic radical,

m is an integer from 1 to 4, and

p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 10, except that R₁ and R₂ cannot be hydrogen at the same time. In preferred compositions according to the invention the aldobionamide is one in which R₁ is hydrogen, p is 0, and R₃ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 8 to 24 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof. Also preferred are compositions wherein the aldobionamide is an aldobiondiamide in which R₁ is hydrogen, p = 1, m = 2, X = H,

, and R₃ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 11 to 13 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof.

According to the invention, preference is given to the use of a detergent composition comprising an aldobionamide wherein A in the above formula is a disaccharide sugar forming the compound which, except for the OH group, is an aldobionic acid, such as maltobionic acid, lactobionic acid, and cellobionic acid. A specific example of an aldobionamide which may be used for purposes of the invention is the disaccharide lactobionamide having the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ may be the same or different and have the same meaning as given herein before.

Optimum results have been obtained when use was made of a detergent composition containing as aldobionamide lactobionamide according to the above formula wherein R₂ has the meaning of a coco alkyl, tallow alkyl or oleyl group and R₁ is a hydrogen atom. Good results have also been obtained when use was made of a detergent composition containing as aldobionamide lactobiondiamide according to the first mentioned formula wherein R₁ is a hydrogen atom, p = 1, m = 2, X = H, Y = NH, and R₃ has the meaning of a cocoyl, tallowoyl, or oleoyl group.

The biodegradable anionic surfactant which may be used in the detergent compositions according to the present invention is a fatty acid soap, preferably a salt from sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium, 8 to 22 carbon alkyl sulphates, 8 to 24 carbon ether sulphates, 8 to 24 carbon ether carboxylates,methyl acyl taurates, N-acyl glutamates, acyl isethionates, anionic acyl sarcosinates, alkyl sulphosuccinates, and alkyl glucuronides.

Alkyl sulphate surfactants are water soluble salts or acids of the formula ROSO₃M, wherein R is a C_10-24 hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a C_10-20 alkyl component, more preferably a C_12-18 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations, quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl ammonium and dimethyl piperidinium cations, and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkyl amines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).

Alkyl ether sulphate surfactants are water-soluble salts or acids of the formula RO(A)_mSO₃M, wherein R is an unsubstituted C₁₀-C₂₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having a C₈-C₂₄ alkyl component, preferably a C₁₂-C₂₀ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, more preferably a C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, A preferably is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0,5 and about 6, more preferably between about 0,5 and about 3, and M is H or a cation which can be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), or an ammonium or substituted ammonium cation. Alkyl polyethylene glycol ether sulphates as well as alkyl polypropylene glycol ether sulphates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include methyl, dimethyl, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl ammonium and dimethyl piperidinium cations, and cations derived from alkylamines such as ethyl amine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof, and the like. Exemplary surfactants are C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (1,0) sulphate (C₁₂-C₁₈E(1,0)M), wherein M has the meaning of a metal cation, and E of O(CH₂CH₂O)_mSO₃, C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (2,25) sulphate (C₁₂-C₁₈E(2,25)M), C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (3,0) sulphate (C₁₂-C₁₈E(3,0)M), and C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (4,0) sulphate (C₁₂-C₁₈E(4,0)M), wherein M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.

Other biodegradable anionic surfactants which may be incorporated into the detergent compositions according to the present invention comprise salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di-, and triethanolamine salts) of soap; fatty acyl glycerol sulphonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulphates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulphosucci nates, monoesters of sulphosuccinates (especially saturated and unsaturated C₁₂-C₁₈ monoesters) and diesters of sulphosuccinates (especially saturated and unsaturated C₆-C₁₄ diesters), acyl sarcosinates, sulphates and carboxylates of alkyl polysaccharides such as the sulphates of alkyl polyglucosides and alkyl glucuronides, branched primary alkyl sulphates, and alkyl ether carboxylates such as those of the formula RO(CH₂CH₂O)_k-CH₂COO-M⁺, wherein R is a C₈-C₂₂ alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is a soluble salt-forming cation.

The detergent compositions according to the present invention may also contain nonionic surfactants other than those already described herein. However, without it being intended to be limited thereby, it is believed that nonionic surfactants other than those already described herein will not provide the afore-discussed stain removal benefits associated with the nonionic surfactant system of the present invention.

In order to obtain the extraordinary results of the present invention the detergent compositions contain an aluminosilicate. An example of a suitable aluminosilicate is an amorphous water-insoluble hydrated compound of the formula Na_x(AlO₂.SiO₂)_y, wherein x is a number from 1,0 to 1,2 and y is 1, said amorphous material being further characterised by a Mg⁺⁺ exchange capacity of from about 50 mg eq. CaCO₃/g and a particle diameter of from 0,01 μm to 5 μm.

Preference is given to an aluminosilicate builder of the formula:

Na_z[(AlO₂)_z(SiO₂)_y].xH₂O

wherein z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y is in the range from 1,0 to about 0,5, and x is an integer from about 10 to about 264; said aluminosilicate ion exchange material having a particle size diameter from 0,1 μm to 100 μm and a calcium ion exchange capacity on an anhydrous basis of at least 200 mg equivalent of CaCO₃ hardness per gram.

Optimum results are generally obtained with an aluminosilicate selected from the group of Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), and Zeolite X. Good results are generally obtained when the weight ratio between the aluminosilicate and the surfactants is chosen in the range between 1:1 and 10:1.

In addition to the ingredients described hereinbefore, the compositions according to the present invention will frequently contain a series of optional ingredients which are used for the known functionality at conventional levels. Said ingredients include carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, dyes or pigments, polyacids, suds regulants, opacifiers, antioxidants, bactericides, perfumes, brighteners, and the like. The invention will be further described in the following examples, which must not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way.

The present detergent compositions were tested using a Tergotometer under the following experimental conditions: temperature 40°C, unless otherwise indicated

wash cycle 15-minute wash / 15-minute rinse

number of rotations/min 100 loading 10 pieces (6x6 cm) standard soils

2 pieces (6x6 cm) reference white

per 1000 ml washing liquor (15°dH) standard soils EMPA 104 : Polyester-Cotton;

soot/olive oil

EMPA 101 : Cotton; soot/olive oil

EMPA 211, 213 : Cotton, Cotton-Polyester

white references

(redeposition) dosage: 0,5 g surfactant (anionic + nonionic) /l evaluation: spectrophotometer: Elrepho 2000

(daylight spectrum (D65) reflectance;

CIELab based evaluation)

Improvement in detergency is measured by the difference in reflectance values (ΔL) between the stained cloth and the cloth after treatment in the tergotometer, the reflectance values being measured using a reflectometer and the values in question being obtained from the difference in reflectance before and after each washing. White references are used to determine the redeposition of soil. Examples 1 - 6 and Comparative Examples 7 - 16

The abbreviations used for the compounds in the compositions evaluated in the following examples are as follows:

FAE(3,0) = C₁₂-C₁₄ alkyl ethoxylate having an average of 3 EO-groups

FAE(7,5) = C₁₂-C₁₄ alkyl ethoxylate having an average of 7,5 EO-groups

LABA = C₁₂-C₁₄ alkyl lactobionamide

LADA = lactobion-2-(cocoyl ami no) ethyl amide

C12/14FAS= C₁₂-C₁₄ sodium alkyl sulphate

C16/18FAS= C₁₆-C₁₈ sodium alkyl sulphate

C12/14SAG= C₁₂-C₁₄ sodium alkyl glucuronide

C16/18SAG= C₁₆-C₁₈ sodium alkyl glucuronide

C12/14SEC= C₁₂-C₁₄ sodium ether carboxylate

bentonite= sodium montmorillonite

silicate= water soluble amorphous di silicate

zeolite = zeolite A = Wessalith P (ex Degussa)

AMC = Acrylate-Maleate Copolymer

Elec/PBS = Electrolyte/Perborate

Soda = sodium carbonate

The numbers mentioned in the tables below are in weight %, the balance up to 100% being water

The compositions in the following examples were evaluated on EMPA 101

and compared with the following comparative examples (without LABA)

Examples 17-21

In the following examples a comparison is made between two detergent compositions A .and B of the following composition:

The cleaning effect (ΔL) of the above two compositions on EMPA 101 at different temperatures is indicated in Table 4.

The results mentioned in Table 4 clearly show that the beneficial effect of the biodegradable compositions according to the present invention will be obtained only at a temperature ≥ 25°C, and preferably at a temperature between 30° and 60°C.

It should be noted that the detergent composition not containing LABA becomes effective only at a temperature of at least 40°C.

Examples 22-31

In the following examples a comparison is made between three detergent compositions A, C, and D according to the invention:

The cleaning effect (ΔL) of the above three compositions on EMPA 101 at different temperatures is indicated in Table 6.

The results mentioned in Table 6 clearly show that at a lower washing temperature optimum results are obtained with a higher LABA concentration.

Of the above three compositions also the redeposition was measured as a function of temperature. The results are mentioned in Table 7.

The low redeposition data reflects the excel lent soi l removal and stabi l i sati on capacity of LABA-contai ni ng formul ati ons . Exampl e 32

In this example the cleaning results at 40°C of compositions A (inv.) and B (compar.) were compared with each other as a function of time. The results are shown in Figure 1. Examples 33-41

The influence of other anionic surfactants on the cleaning effect is indicated in Table 8.

Comparative Examples 42-50

By way of comparison LABA was replaced by FAE(3,0) and FAE(7,5), respectively, in the above compositions. The cleaning results measured at 40°C are given in Table 9.

Examples 51-53

The influence of other builders on the cleaning effect is indicated in Table 10.

Examples 54-58

In the following examples it is shown that for various ratios of LAS:LABA good detergency results will be obtained only if use is made of the process conditions according to the present invention.

The cleaning effect (ΔL) of the above three compositions on EMPA 101 at different temperatures is indicated in Table 12.

The results mentioned in Table 12 clearly show that a good overall performance is obtained for all mixing ratios, especially at temperatures > 30°C. Examples 59-64

The cleaning effect (ΔL) of compositions E and G on EMPA 101/211 at different concentrations is indicated in Table 13.

The results mentioned in Table 13 clearly show that the beneficial effect of the above compositions at a temperature of 40°C is already obtained at a surfactant concentration of about 0,05 g/l washing liquor, and reaches a maximum at a concentration of about 0,5 g/l. It should be noted that at lower concentrations optimum results are obtained with composition E containing a relatively high LABA/LAS ratio.

Examples 65-70

In the following examples a comparison is made between two detergent compositions M and N of the following composition:

The cleaning effect (ΔL) of the above two compositions on EMPA 101 at different concentrations is indicated in Table 15.

The results mentioned in Table 15 clearly show that the beneficial effect of the biodegradable compositions according to the present invention is already obtained at a surfactant concentration of about 0,05 g/l washing liquor, and reaches a maximum at a concentration of about 0,5 g/l.

It should be noted that the detergent composition not containing LABA becomes effecti ve only at a surfactant concentration of about 1 ,0 g/l .

Example 71

In the following example it is shown that for LADA (p = 1, m = 2, X = H, Y = -NHC(O)-, R1 = H, R3 = C11 - C13) good detergency results will be obtained if use is made of the process conditions according to the present invention.

The cleaning effect (ΔL) of the above three compositions on EMPA 101 at 40°C is indicated in Table 17.

The results mentioned in Table 17 clearly show that a good overall performance is obtained for all mixing ratios.

Claims

1. Use of a detergent composition for cleaning fabrics or hard surfaces which comprises a nonionic glycolipid surfactant which is an aldobionamide, an anionic surfactant, and an aluminosilicate, characterised in that the surfactant concentration in the washing liquor is in the range between 0,05 and 1 g/l at a temperature of at least 25 °C.

2. Use according to claim 1, characterised in that the detergent composition is biodegradable by the incorporation therein of a biodegradable anionic surfactant.

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the temperature is in the range between 30° and 60°C.

4. Use according to claim 1, characterised in that the surfactant concentration in the washing liquor is in the range between 0,05 and 0,8 g/l washing liquor. 5. Use according to claim 1, characterised in that the surfactant concentration in the washing liquor is in the range between 0,1 and 0,5 g/l washing liquor.

Use according to claim 1, characterised in that the surfactant concentration in the washing liquor is in the range between 0,15 and 0,25 g/l washing liquor.

7. Use according to claim 1, characterised in that the concentration of the aluminosilicate in the washing liquor is in the range between 1 and 1,7 g/l washing liquor.

8. Use according to claim 1, characterised in that the aldobionamide has the structure:

ANR₁R₂

wherein A is a sugar moiety which is an aldobionic acid except that it does not contain the OH group normally extending from the carbonyl group on the aldobionic acid;

wherein X represents H or a C₁ - C₄ alkyl group,

Y represents a group or atom selected from

-O-, -S-, -NH-,

,

,

R₃ represents a straight or branched hydrocarbon radical containing at least 8 carbon atoms, which contains optionally a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or cycloaliphatic radical, m is an integer from 1 to 4, and

p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 10, except that R₁ and R₂ cannot be hydrogen at the same time.

Use according to claim 8, characterised in that R₁ is hydrogen, p is 0, and R₃ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 8 to 24 carbon atoms.

10. Use according to claim 8, characterised in that R₁ is hydrogen, p = 1, m = 2, X = H,

11. Use according to claim 8, characterised in that A is a

disaccharide sugar group forming compound which, except for the OH group, is an aldobionic acid, such as maltobionic acid, lactobionic acid, and cellobionic acid.

12. Use according to claim 1, characterised in that the aldobionamide is a lactobionamide having the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ may have the same meaning as defined in Cl aim 8.

13. Use according to claim 2, characteri sed in that the biodegradabl e anioni c surfactant is a fatty acid soap, preferably a salt from sodi um, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammoni um, C_8-22 l inear al kyl sulphates, C_8-24 al kyl ether sul phates, carboxylates, methyl acyl taurates, N-acyl gl utamates, acyl isethionates, anionic acyl sarcosinates, al kyl sul phosucci nates, and al kyl glucuronides.

14. Use according to claim 1, characterised in that the aluminosilicate builder is a zeolite of the formula:

Na_z[(AlO₂)z(SiO₂)_y].xH₂O

wherein z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y is in the range from 1,0 to about 0,5, and x is an integer from about 10 to about 264.

15. Use according to claim 14, characterised in that the aluminosilicate is selected from the group of Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), and Zeolite X.

16. Use according to claim 12, characterised in that R₁ is a hydrogen atom, p is 0, and R₃ has the meaning of a coco alkyl, tallow alkyl or oleyl group.

17. Use according to claim 12, characterised in that R₁ is a hydrogen atom, p = 1, m = 2, X = H, Y = -NH-, and R₃ has the meaning of a cocoyl, tallowoyl or oleoyl group.