Carbomer gel

Tagged: gel-based-hand-sanitizer, hand-sanitizer

Advanced Questions

Carbomer gel

Posted by jeff2000 on July 29, 2020 at 11:05 am

I have been successful in making the gel-based hand sanitizer, the only issue is now the hand sanitizer is bit paleish /mudish. It’s not clear 100% transparent

The process and formulation is as follow

1- Alcohol (IPA) 75%

2- Glycerol 1.45%

3- Hydrogen Peroxide 0.13%

4- Water 24%

5- Carbomer 2% of distilled water

6- Triethalamine (TEA)- 2 to 3 drops

Procedure

1- I put the Carbomer in distilled water and leave it for 12 hours for proper dispersal/hydration, this leaves me with distilled water Gel.

2- Then put IPA and mix with the blender for a few minutes

3- Add TEA, the above mixture converts to Gel

4- Add Hydrogen Peroxide and Glycerol and some lemon essential oil.

5- Blend it again for 5 minutes to complete the process.

The final product pH is approximately 4.4 if I try to increase the pH by adding more TEA, the viscosity of the gel drop

So everything is perfect, except the color is slightly muddy /cloudy.

How can I get a crystal clear gel?

Do u have any idea where I am going wrong? And what needs to be done.

Thanks in Advance
Jeff

jeff2000 replied 3 years, 9 months ago 4 Members · 5 Replies
- gel-based-hand-sanitizer
- hand-sanitizer
5 Replies

EVchem

Member
July 29, 2020 at 3:01 pm

Clarity depends in part on the kind of carbomer you have (940, 980)
The lemon EO will also affect clarity- how much is there? you are better off adding it into the IPA
Chirag

Member
July 29, 2020 at 6:27 pm

@Jeff2000 @EVchem I have also seen formulators using tween 80. I thought they were using to mix perfume and finally to achieve clear gel.
What is your area ? If I am wrong please correct me.
I am also getting the same issue.
Thanks.
jeff2000

Member
July 30, 2020 at 8:23 am

@Chirag @EVchem thanks for your feedback.

Even if I don’t put the EO the same paleness exists. However, I am not sure about the Carbomer if it is 940 or something else. its a commercial-grade from the Chinese market.

Is there any way to check which carbomer is it? , and how can I cut the paleness in any case.
chemicalmatt

Member
July 30, 2020 at 3:38 pm

You answered your own question here, Jeff: Chinese clone of Carbopol. Even Carbopol itself either 940 or 980 or 934 will not be crystal clear in that system. Try Ulrez 21 or RapidGel EZ1 (3V Sigma USA) if you just HAVE to have clear. Also, I trust you meant triethanolamine, not triethylamine? The former is OK the latter is a lachrymator.
jeff2000

Member
July 30, 2020 at 4:52 pm

chemicalmatt said:

You answered your own question here, Jeff: Chinese clone of Carbopol. Even Carbopol itself either 940 or 980 or 934 will not be crystal clear in that system. Try Ulrez 21 or RapidGel EZ1 (3V Sigma USA) if you just HAVE to have clear. Also, I trust you meant triethanolamine, not triethylamine? The former is OK the latter is a lachrymator.

thanks a lot, I believe everything sums up to the quality of carbopo .

EVchem

Chirag

jeff2000

chemicalmatt

jeff2000