Acrylamide-Free Thickening Agent for Hydro-Alcoholic Viscosity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thickening agents for hydroalcoholic compositions face challenges in controlling viscosity, stability, and compatibility, particularly due to the destabilizing effects of alcohol addition, and often rely on acrylamide, which is undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A thickening agent P is developed through a polymerization reaction using specific monomers such as acrylic acid, acid esters, and N-methylol-acrylamide derivatives, without acrylamide, allowing for controlled viscosity and stability in hydroalcoholic compositions, and can be formulated as an aqueous dispersion or solid to avoid organic solvents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If alcohol is added to an aqueous composition to achieve high proportion of ethanol or isopropanol, then the composition can provide effective disinfection and antiseptic properties, but the surface tension is substantially reduced and viscosity control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection efficacyVSAvoidviscosity control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the thickening agent by using specific monomer compositions (acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and their esters) and controlling the polymerization process to create a thickening agent that maintains effectiveness in high-alcohol environments where conventional agents fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The thickening agent is formulated as a composite polymer system incorporating multiple monomer units with different properties (carboxylic acid groups, ester groups) that work synergistically to provide both thickening capability and stability in hydroalcoholic compositions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional thickening agents are used in hydroalcoholic compositions, then some viscosity increase may be achieved, but the composition stability is destabilized due to increased solubility of ingredients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviscosity increaseVSAvoidcomposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the chemical structure parameters of the thickening agent by incorporating specific functional groups (carboxylic acids, esters) that interact favorably with alcohol molecules, preventing destabilization while maintaining viscosity control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If acrylamide is used to prepare thickening agents, then effective thickening can be achieved, but health and regulatory problems arise due to the problematic nature of acrylamide

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethickening effectivenessVSAvoidhealth and regulatory issues

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful acrylamide component from the thickening agent formulation while retaining the essential thickening functionality through alternative monomer systems (acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and their esters)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the problematic acrylamide with safer, regulatory-compliant monomer systems that achieve the same thickening effect without the health concerns, effectively substituting a harmful material with a benign alternative

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of operation

If thickening agents are used to control viscosity, then application properties can be improved, but compatibility between various ingredients becomes more difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication propertiesVSAvoidingredient compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The thickening agent is designed with multiple functional groups (carboxylic acid, ester) that provide universal compatibility with various ingredients in hydroalcoholic compositions, allowing it to perform both thickening and stabilizing functions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The agent effectively controls viscosity and stability of hydroalcoholic compositions, ensuring suitable application properties and compatibility, while avoiding the use of acrylamide and minimizing solvent-related issues.

Implementation Method 1

The thickening agent P is prepared in the absence of acrylamide by a polymerisation reaction using N-methylol-acrylamide or a derivative thereof, an acid and an acid ester

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization:

Data Source

PatentUS20230287162A1Thickening agent for a hydro-alcoholic composition

Publication Date: 2023.09.14 COATEX SA

AI summary

The invention relates to a thickening agent P for an aqueous composition, in particular for a hydro-alcoholic composition. The thickening agent P is prepared in the absence of acrylamide by a polymerisation reaction using N-methylol acrylamide or one of the derivatives thereof, an acid and an acid ester. A specific condensate of (meth)acrylic acid and N-methylol acrylamide are part of the invention. The invention also provides a hydro-alcoholic composition, the viscosity of the hydro-alcoholic composition being controlled.The invention also provides a hydro-alcoholic composition, the viscosity of the hydro-alcoholic composition being controlled.