Boronic Acid Stabilized Polymer Bead Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for stabilizing suspensions of liquid droplets of water-insoluble vinyl monomers in aqueous media often rely on gelatin, which is unsuitable for consumers due to its animal origin, and fail to produce polymer beads with uniform size distribution.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising droplets in an aqueous medium with 4-vinylphenyl boronic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, and specific monomers and initiators, which forms stable suspensions without gelatin and achieves uniform polymer bead sizes through controlled polymerization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If gelatin is used as a stabilizing compound, then the suspension is stabilized, but the product is unsuitable for consumers who avoid animal products

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension stabilityVSAvoidanimal product content

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces gelatin with a synthetic polymer stabilizer that is animal-product-free. The composition uses a water-soluble polymer with specific molecular weight and composition parameters to achieve stabilization without relying on biological materials, thereby eliminating the harmful factor while maintaining suspension stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the stabilizing compound including molecular weight (10,000 to 1,000,000), polymer composition (50-99% by weight of specific repeating units), and concentration (0.01-5% by weight based on droplet weight). By optimizing these parameters, the synthetic polymer achieves gelatin-level stabilization performance without animal product content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional stabilization methods are used, then the suspension is stabilized, but uniform polymer bead size distribution is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension stabilityVSAvoidpolymer bead size uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes specific parameter ranges for droplet size (harmonic mean diameter 10-1000 micrometers with coefficient of variation ≤30%), monomer composition ratios, and stabilizer concentration. These controlled parameters ensure that during polymerization, uniform droplets convert to uniform polymer beads, achieving both stability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the stabilizing compound adsorbs at the droplet interface, creating a protective layer that prevents coalescence and maintains droplet size uniformity throughout the polymerization process. This interfacial stabilization provides continuous feedback control to maintain size distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If gelatin and costabilizers are used, then the suspension is stabilized, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension stabilityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a single stabilizing compound that performs multiple functions: it stabilizes the droplet interface, prevents coalescence, and controls polymer bead formation. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate gelatin and costabilizer components, reducing process complexity while maintaining stabilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite stabilizing system consisting of a water-soluble polymer with specific functional groups and controlled molecular weight. This composite material integrates the stabilizing and costabilizing functions into a single component system, simplifying the overall formulation and processing while achieving robust suspension stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution enables the production of stable and uniformly sized polymer beads suitable for suspension polymerization, eliminating the need for gelatin and ensuring consistent product quality.

Implementation Method 1

the lens surface contains at least one form of boronic acid, boronic ester, boronic anhyhdride, or a combination thereof, present on at least a surface of the lens body, and in which the boronic acid moieties are complexed with polyhydric alcohol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplexation:

Implementation Method 2

when such droplets contain vinyl monomer and initiator, the monomer may undergo polymerization to form polymer particles in a process of suspension polymerization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3394123B1Droplets distributed in an aqueous medium

Publication Date: 2021.01.20 DDP SPECIALTY ELECTRONICS MATERIALS US 8 LLC

AI summary

Provided is a composition comprising droplets distributed in an aqueous medium, wherein the droplets comprise one or more boronic acids, and wherein the aqueous medium comprises polyvinyl alcohol.