Advanced Eco-Friendly Formulations of Guar Biopolymer-Based Textile Conditioners

Abstract

Fabric conditioners are household products used to impart softness and fragrance to textiles. They are colloidal dispersions of cationic double chain surfactants that self-assemble in vesicles. These surfactants are primarily derived from palm oil chemical modification. Reducing the content of these surfactants allows to obtain products with lower environmental impact. Such a reduction, without adverse effects on the characteristics of the softener and its performance, can be achieved by adding hydrophilic biopolymers. Here, we review the role of guar biopolymers modified with cationic or hydroxyl-propyl groups, on the physicochemical properties of the formulation. Electronic and optical microscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray scattering and rheology of vesicles dispersion in the absence and presence of guar biopolymers are analyzed. Finally, the deposition of the new formulation on cotton fabrics is examined through scanning electron microscopy and a new protocol based on fluorescent microscopy. With this methodology, it is possible to quantify the deposition of surfactants on cotton fibers. The results show that the approach followed here can facilitate the design of sustainable home-care products.

Tuning the morphology of block copolymer-based pH-triggered nanoplatforms as driven by changes in molecular weight and protocol of manufacturing

“…Nevertheless, this is a typical observation when the vesicles are larger than the thickness of the vitrified water layer. [35,36] Yet, it is the comparison between the theoretical and experimental dimensions which indeed more robustly suggest the presence of hollow spheres.…”

Adsorption of Fragrance Capsules onto Cellulose Nano- and Micro-Cellulose Fibers in Presence of Guar Biopolymers

“…1a. TEQ exhibits a gel-to-fluid transition at 𝑇 𝑀 = 60°C due to molecular long-range order within the membrane [8,14]. Fig.…”

“…The mixed dispersions were prepared in the range 𝑋 = 10 -3 -10 3 at room temperature (𝑇 = 25 °C). By convention, we assign the neat TEQ, C-Guar, CAPS and CNC dispersions to the values of 𝑋 = 0.001 or 𝑋 = 1000 [8,47]. Following mixing, the dispersions were rapidly stirred, allowed to equilibrate for 5 minutes, and subsequently characterized using light scattering, 𝜁-potential measurements, and optical microscopy.…”

“…% for concentrated formulations. These surfactants are assembled in nano-and micro-sized vesicles in deionized water [4][5][6][7][8], whereas the vesicles are essential for the formulation colloidal stability and also for driving additives such as oil fragrances on the textile fibers [9][10][11][12]. Although conditioners have been used for decades, only recent studies have addressed the deposition and softening mechanisms.…”

“…Pertaining to the interaction with fabrics, it is now recognized that the surfactant vesicles spontaneously adsorbed to fibers in the wet state [6,7,13,14]. Upon slow evaporation of water and drying, the vesicles break up to form a surfactant supported bilayer that coats the textile fibers [8]. The adsorbed surfactants are responsible for the softness effect via friction reduction associated with the sliding of the bilayers during fabric mechanical movement.…”