Biocidal Composition Synergy Tributyl Tetradecyl Phosphonium Chloride
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biocides are ineffective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, particularly at varying temperatures, and often incompatible with other chemical additives, requiring higher concentrations that increase costs and environmental impact without ensuring long-term microbial control.
Innovation Solution
A biocidal composition comprising tributyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate at specific weight ratios, which exhibit synergistic effects, allowing for reduced usage and improved efficacy against bacteria, fungi, algae, and viruses in aqueous systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If larger amounts of biocide are used to improve efficacy against microorganisms, then microbial control effectiveness is improved, but cost and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two biocidal compounds with different mechanisms of action - a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) and a biguanide (such as polyhexamethylene biguanide or PHMB). This combination creates a synergistic effect where the compounds work together to enhance microbial control effectiveness, allowing lower individual concentrations to achieve the same or better efficacy than higher concentrations of single biocides alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite biocidal formulation comprising multiple active ingredients with complementary properties. The QAC provides rapid initial biocidal activity while the biguanide provides sustained residual control, creating a composite system that addresses both immediate and long-term microbial control needs at reduced overall concentrations.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If larger amounts of biocide are used to ensure long-term microbial control, then duration of microbial control is improved, but cost and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The combination of QAC and biguanide compounds creates complementary temporal profiles - the QAC provides rapid initial kill while the biguanide maintains residual activity over extended periods. This merged approach achieves both short-term and long-term control objectives simultaneously at lower total concentrations than would be required using either compound alone at high doses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If higher concentrations of biocide are used to achieve broad-spectrum effectiveness, then spectrum of microorganism control is improved, but compatibility with other chemical additives deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two biocides with different spectral characteristics - QACs are effective against Gram-positive bacteria while biguanides provide broader coverage including Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This combination creates a broad-spectrum formulation that achieves comprehensive microbial control at lower concentrations, reducing the likelihood of incompatibility reactions compared to using single high-concentration biocides.
4Reliability
If larger amounts of biocide are used to overcome microorganism resistance, then effectiveness against resistant microorganisms is improved, but cost and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a combination of biocides with different mechanisms of action - QACs primarily disrupt cell membranes while biguanides interfere with protein synthesis and enzyme function. This multi-mechanism approach overcomes microorganism resistance by targeting multiple cellular processes simultaneously, making it difficult for microorganisms to develop resistance to the combination therapy, thereby maintaining effectiveness at lower concentrations.
Data Source
AI summary
A biocidal composition comprising tributyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate at a weight ratio of 2:1 to 1:10, and its use for the control of microorganisms in aqueous and water-containing systems.