Approaching Chemistry: bis aminopropyl dimethicone vs dimethicone

Bis aminopropyl dimethicone and dimethiconeare both silicone polymers, but wo of them play different roles in different fields. This article involved in the bis aminopropyl dimethicone vs dimethicone in terms of basic properties, chemical formula, and applications.

Bis aminopropyl dimethicone vs dimethicone in terms of basic properties

Bis aminopropyl dimethicone is a white, almost odorless liquid polymer, are mainly used for hair conditioning and softening purposes. Bis aminopropyl dimethicone is a good water soluble antistatic organic solvent with rich foaming power that acts as an excellent conditioner and forms a protective barrier on the hair. It is considered one of the best high-performance conditioning polymers and is a key ingredient in everyday products for smoothing hair.

Dimethicone, also known as dimethylpolysiloxane or polydimethylsiloxane , is a silicone polymer with a wide variety of uses, from cosmetics to industrial lubrication. It is known for its unusual rheological or flow properties. Dimethicone is optically clear, generally inert, nontoxic, and nonflammable. It is one of several types of silicone oils—polymeric siloxanes. Its applications range from contact lenses and medical devices to elastomers; it is also used in shampoos to make hair shiny and smooth, food defoaming agents, caulks, lubricants and heat-resistant ceramic tiles.

Bis aminopropyl dimethicone vs dimethicone in terms of molecular structure

Bis aminopropyl dimethicone is an organosilicon compound with the following molecular structure: H3C-[Si(CH3)2-O]n-NH-(CH2)3-NH2.

In this structure, Si represents silicon atom, О represents oxygen atom, C represents carbon atom, H represents hydrogen atom, and N represents nitrogen atom. (CH3)2 in brackets indicates that there are two methyl groups connected to the silicon atom, n indicates the number of times this basic unit is repeated, NH-(CH2)3-NH2 represents two amino groups connected to a propyl chain composed of three carbon atoms. This structure gives bis aminopropyl dimethicone special chemical and physical properties and is often used in surfactants, lubricants, waterproofing agents and other fields. Compounds of this structure have wide applications in industry and scientific research.

The chemical formula of dimethicone is CH3[Si(CH3)2O]nSi(CH3)3, where n is the number of repeating monomer [Si(CH3)2O] units. 

Industrial synthesis can begin from dimethyldichlorosilane and water by the following net reaction:n Si(CH₃)₂ Cl₂+(n+1)H₂O→HO[Si(CH₃)₂O]nH＋2n HC1. The polymerization reaction evolves hydrochloric acid. For medical and domestic applications, a process was developed in which the chlorine atoms in the silane precursor were replaced with acetate groups. In this case, the polymerization produces acetic acid, which is less chemically aggressive than HCl. As a side-effect, the curing process is also much slower in this case. The acetate is used in consumer applications, such as silicone caulk and adhesives.

Bis aminopropyl dimethicone vs dimethicone in terms of applications

Application of bis aminopropyl dimethicone

1.Hair care products: As an ingredient that increases hair smoothness, bis aminopropyl dimethicone is generally used in hair masks or shampoos. It actually forms a bond with damaged areas of the cuticle, leaving hair feeling softer. Like other silicones, it also forms a protective barrier, making combing easier, and significantly improves the wet and dry combing performance of the hair; has good antistatic properties and improves the phenomenon of flyaway hair; gives the hair a smooth and soft feel; and has good affinity with the hair. It does not accumulate on the scalp and hair, which is what sets it apart from other silicones and hair. It helps deep condition, increase color retention, and tone damaged areas.

2. Skin care products: bis aminopropyl dimethicone has functions such as permeability, moisturizing, moisturizing and softness, so it can be used in various lotions, creams and other skin care products to make the skin more moist and delicate.

3. Cosmetic field: bis aminopropyl dimethicone can be added to eye shadow, mascara, lip gloss and other cosmetics as a lubricant, antistatic agent, emulsifier, thickener, etc., to make the texture of the cosmetics softer and more delicate.

Application of dimethicone

1.Surfactants and defoaming agents: Dimethicone derivatives are common surfactants and components of defoaming agents. Modified forms of dimethicone are used as herbicide penetrants and are key ingredients in waterproof coatings.

2.Hydraulic oils and related applications: Dimethicone is used as an active silicone oil in automotive viscous limited-slip differentials and couplings.

3.Daytime radiation cooling: Dimethicone is a commonly used surface material in passive daytime radiative cooling, acting as a broadband emitter with high solar reflectivity and thermal emissivity. As a daytime radiative cooling surface, Dimethicone has also been tested to improve solar cell efficiency.

4.Drugs and Cosmetics: Activated dimethicone is a mixture of polydimethylsiloxanes and silica, commonly used in over-the-counter medications as an antifoam and carminative. Dimethicone also acts as a moisturizer and is lighter and more breathable than typical oils.

5.Skin care products: Dimethicone is also widely used in the cosmetics and consumer goods industries. For example, dimethicone is widely used in skin moisturizing lotions and is listed as an active ingredient, and its purpose is to protect the skin. Some cosmetic formulations use dimethicone and related silicone polymers at concentrations as high as 15%. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) expert panel concluded that dimethicone and related polymers are safe for use in cosmetic formulations.

6.Hair care products: Dimethicone compounds, such as amodimethicone, when formulated to consist of small particles that are soluble in water or alcohol/act as surfactants, are effective conditioning agents, especially for damaged hair. More effective than regular dimethicone.