Biodegradable Polyether-Modified Trisiloxane Surfactants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing superspreading trisiloxane adjuvants used in crop protection are not biodegradable, posing environmental concerns and limiting their acceptance in agriculture.
Innovation Solution
Development of polyether-modified siloxanes with specific molecular structures that exhibit both superspreading properties and biodegradability, allowing them to spread effectively on plant surfaces while being readily degradable according to OECD Method 301F.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional trisiloxane adjuvants are used to achieve superspreading, then spreading capability is improved, but biodegradability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters of trisiloxane adjuvants by introducing biodegradable polyether radicals with specific oxygen content and molecular weight ranges, while maintaining the superspreading functional groups. This changes the chemical composition parameters to achieve both spreading performance and biodegradability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite molecular structures combining siloxane backbone with polyether side chains, where the siloxane portion provides superspreading capability and the polyether portion provides biodegradability. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between performance and environmental compatibility
2Reliability
If adjuvants are added to improve pesticide efficacy, then pesticide uptake is improved, but chemical load on environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful persistent nature of trisiloxane adjuvants into a beneficial biodegradable property by introducing polyether radicals that are readily degraded by microorganisms. The adjuvant maintains its efficacy-enhancing function while its environmental persistence is transformed into controlled degradation
3Ease of operation
If water-soluble hydrophilic adjuvants are used, then wetting performance is improved, but biodegradability is not guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the functional properties of different molecular regions: the polyether radical provides hydrophilicity and water solubility for wetting performance, while the specific structural features of this polyether portion simultaneously provide biodegradability. Each part of the molecule has optimized local properties
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 polyether-modified siloxanes demonstrate enhanced spreading capabilities and biodegradability, offering a sustainable solution for crop protection by improving pesticide uptake and efficacy while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
alkoxylated trisiloxane surfactants which lower the static surface tension of spray liquors or water to a greater degree than the organic surfactants used in the past
Implementation Method 2
superspreading trisiloxane surfactants... leads to an improvement in pesticide uptake by the plant and generally to a rise in the efficacy or effectiveness thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to polyether-modified siloxanes which are both superspreading and readily biodegradable. In particular, the invention is directed to a composition including polyether-modified siloxanes of formula (I)MaDbD′c Formula (I)with M=R13SiO1/2, D=R12SiO2/2, D′=R1R2SiO2/2,where a is 2, b is between 0 and 0.1, c is between 1.0 and 1.15, 0 and 1.05, R1 are independently hydrocarbyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl or phenyl radicals, especially preferably methyl radicals, R2 are independently a polyether radical of the formula (II)—R3O[CH2CH2O]m[CH2CH(CH3)O]nR5 Formula (II)where m=3.4 to 11.0, n=2.5 to 8.0, wherein m/n=1.9 to 2.8, and R3 are independently divalent hydrocarbyl radicals having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and R5 is hydrogen, wherein the polyether-modified siloxanes of formula (I) having a biodegradability of greater than 60%.