Use of an alcohol hybrid to modify the rheology of polyethoxylated alcohol sulfates
In one embodiment, a polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate composition is provided which includes a polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate, such as sodium laureth ether sulfate (SLES), water, a mono-alcohol, and a polyol. The two alcohols form a synergistic blend, enabling a significant reduction of the viscosity of the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate composition. Also provided is an embodiment of a method for modifying the rheology of polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate by use of a mono-alcohol and a polyol simultaneously. Finally provided is an embodiment of a detergent composition which is prepared by use of the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate composition described herein, in addition to other commonly known ingredients.
1. A polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend consisting essentially of:
a polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate having Formula (I):
R′—O—(C2H4O) n -SO3M′ (I)
wherein R′ is C10-C18 alkyl, n is from 1 to 15, and M′ is sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium, or alkanolammonium,
ethanol,
a polyol chosen from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, and combinations thereof, and
water;
wherein the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate is present in an amount ranging from about 20% to about 80% by weight of the blend; and
wherein the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate, the ethanol, and the polyol are present in a weight ratio of actives of 7:1:2 to 7:1:3.
2. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend of claim 1 , wherein the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate is sodium laureth ether sulfate (SLES).
3. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend according to claim 1 , wherein the polyol is PEG 400.
4. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend according to claim 1 , consisting of the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate, the water, the ethanol, and the polyol.
5. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend according to claim 1 , having a viscosity of less than 100 Pa·S over a shear rate between 0.41 to 10 1/s at 20° C.
6. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend according to claim 1 , having a viscosity of less than 26 Pa·S over a shear rate between 0.41 to 10 1/s at 20° C.
7. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend of claim 1 , wherein the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate is sodium laureth ether sulfate and the polyol is polyethylene glycol 400.
8. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend of claim 1 , wherein the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate is sodium laureth ether sulfate, the polyol is propylene glycol and the sodium laureth ether sulfate, the ethanol, and the propylene glycol are present in a weight ratio of actives of 7:1:2.
9. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend of claim 1 , wherein the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate is sodium laureth ether sulfate, the polyol is glycerine and the sodium laureth ether sulfate, the ethanol, and the glycerine are present in a weight ratio of actives of 7:1:2.
10. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend of claim 4 , wherein the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate is sodium laureth ether sulfate and the polyol is polyethylene glycol 400.
11. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend of claim 4 , wherein the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate is sodium laureth ether sulfate, the polyol is propylene glycol and the sodium laureth ether sulfate, the ethanol, and the propylene glycol are present in a weight ratio of actives of 7:1:2.
12. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend of claim 4 , wherein the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate is sodium laureth ether sulfate, the polyol is glycerine and the sodium laureth ether sulfate, the ethanol, and the glycerine are present in a weight ratio of actives of 7:1:2.
13. The polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate blend of claim 1 , wherein the polyol is chosen from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerine, and combinations thereof.