Analysis of Compositions and Structures in Solutions with cryo-ToF-SIMS/SEM

Kao has been developing various liquid products, such as detergents and skin care products. Ingredients contained in these products—surfactants, oils and polymers, for example—have various microstructures, such as emulsions, micelles and liquid crystals, depending on their components and concentrations.
To improve product performance and stability, it is important to understand the spatial distribution of individual components in the microstructures. However, the wide range of components make detailed analysis challenging.

By collaborating with Nagoya University, Kao has introduced cryo-time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (cryo-ToF-SIMS/SEM)—the mass imaging technique that can analyze the spatial distribution of multiple components, combined with microscopy that can observe microstructures at a very low temperature—and worked on combined analysis of components and microstructures in solutions.
This analytical technique is applied to stability assessment for model fabric softeners. Kao has previously analyzed detailed composition in the microstructures formed in fabric softener liquids with different shelf-lives, demonstrating that the distribution in the microstructures varies depending on the length and number of alkyl chains of surfactants.

Kao’s research on analytical science will elucidate the nature in association with the functional development in various products by developing techniques for combined analysis of components and structures in solutions.