Washing and cleaning agents comprising environmentally compatible microcapsules
Washing and cleaning agents may include microcapsules comprising a core material where the core material may include at least one fragrance and a shell. The shell may consist of at least one first layer and one second layer with different chemical compositions. The shell may have a biodegradability, measured in accordance with OECD 301 F, of at least 40%. Such agents may be used for conditioning textiles or for cleaning textiles and/or hard surfaces.
1 . A washing or cleaning agent comprising:
microcapsules each comprising a core and a shell, wherein:
the core comprises a core material,
the core material comprises a fragrance,
the shell comprises a first layer and a second layer having a chemical composition different from a chemical composition of the first layer,
the shell has a biodegradability, measured in accordance with OECD 301 F, of at least 40%,
the second layer comprises an aldehyde component, an amine component, and an aromatic alcohol selected from the group consisting of resorcinol, phloroglucinol, and aminophenol,
the aldehyde component is present in an amount of from 5.0 to 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the second layer,
the amine component is present in an amount of from 20 to 85 wt. %, based on the total weight of the second layer, and
the aromatic alcohol is present in an amount of from 5.0 to 15 wt. %, based on the total weight of the second layer; and
a further ingredient selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, an enzyme, a builder, an agent that enhances absorption, and any mixture thereof.
2 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein the shell has a biodegradability, measured according to OECD 301 F, of at least 50%.
3 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 2 , wherein the shell has a biodegradability, measured in accordance with OECD 301 F, of at least 70%.
4 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein each microcapsule has a tightness that ensures an escape of at most 80 wt. % of the core material after storage for a period of 12 weeks at a temperature of from 0 to 40° C.
5 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a biodegradable component selected from the group consisting of a protein, a polysaccharide, a phenolic macromolecule, a polyglucosamine, a polyvinyl ester, a phosphazene, a polyester, and any mixture thereof.
6 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises an inorganic component.
7 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 6 , wherein the inorganic component is selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, a polysilicate, and any mixture thereof.
8 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein the second layer further comprises at least one of an acrylate component or an isocyanate component.
9 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein the aldehyde component is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, succinaldehyde, furfural, glyoxal, and any mixture thereof.
10 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 9 , wherein the aldehyde component is present in an amount of from 15 to 20 wt. %, based on the total weight of the second layer.
11 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein the amine component is selected from the group consisting of melamine, a melamine derivative, urea, and any combination thereof.
12 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 11 , wherein the amine component is present in an amount of from 55 to 70 wt. %, based on the total weight of the second layer.
13 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is arranged on the inside of the first layer.
14 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein the second layer is present in an amount of at most 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the shell.
15 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein the second layer has an average thickness of from 0.01 μm to 1 μm.
16 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 15 , wherein the second layer has an average thickness of from 0.05 μm to 0.30 μm.
17 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein:
each microcapsule comprises a third layer on the outside of the first layer, and
the third layer comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of an amine, an organic salt, an inorganic salt, an alcohol, an ether, a polyphosphazene, a precious metal, and any mixture thereof.
18 . The washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 , wherein the aromatic alcohol is present in an amount of from 9 to 13 wt. %, based on the total weight of the second layer.
19 . A method of cleaning a textile or a hard surface, the method comprising applying the washing or cleaning agent of claim 1 to the textile or the hard surface.