Cationic Textile Polymers With Reliable Azetidinium Formation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of azetidinium groups in cationic polymers used in textile treatments is unreliable, particularly for primary amine groups, leading to inconsistent reactivity and performance, and the use of epihalohydrins requires complex safety precautions.
Innovation Solution
A cationic polymer is formed using a coupling compound generated by reacting epihalohydrin with piperazine, which then reacts with pre-polymers containing primary and secondary amine groups, ensuring reliable formation of azetidinium groups and avoiding direct handling of epihalohydrins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If epihalohydrin is used directly to form azetidinium groups with primary amine groups, then azetidinium groups can be formed, but the formation is unreliable and requires complex safety precautions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling compound as an intermediary substance that mediates between epihalohydrin and primary amine groups. The coupling compound contains a reactive group that reacts with primary amine groups to form azetidinium groups, eliminating the need for direct handling of hazardous epihalohydrin while maintaining reliable azetidinium group formation. This intermediary approach resolves both the reliability issue and safety complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the direct reaction process into two separate steps: first, the coupling compound reacts with primary amine groups; second, azetidinium groups are formed through this intermediate reaction. This segmentation allows the hazardous epihalohydrin to be handled in a controlled, pre-reacted form (coupling compound) rather than in direct contact with primary amine groups, improving reliability while reducing safety complexity.
2Ease of operation
If cationic polymers are used in laundry compositions, then they can be applied without post-application heat treatment, but the polymer substantivity is poorer compared to industrial treatment processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the cationic polymer by incorporating specific functional groups (azetidinium groups, amidine groups, guanidine groups) that enhance substantivity. These parameter changes in the polymer structure allow it to maintain high substantivity in laundry compositions without requiring post-application heat treatment, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
3Strength
If cationic polymers with azetidinium groups are used to improve reactivity and durability, then wear resistance and antimicrobial substantivity improve, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the coupling compound that contains the necessary reactive groups before it is used to modify the cationic polymer. This preliminary preparation of the coupling compound simplifies the overall manufacturing process, as the azetidinium groups are formed through a controlled intermediate reaction rather than requiring complex in-situ synthesis, thus achieving improved wear resistance and durability without excessive manufacturing complexity.
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 resulting cationic polymers exhibit improved reliability in forming azetidinium groups, enhancing their reactivity and durability on textiles, including improved wear resistance, handle, and antimicrobial compound substantivity, while simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing safety hazards.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling compound reacts with pre-polymers containing primary and secondary amine groups, ensuring reliable formation of azetidinium groups
Data Source
AI summary
A cationic polymer is disclosed, represented by: A) wherein “P1” and “P2” represent portions of the cationic polymer to which the first functional group shown in A is bonded, or B) wherein “P” represents the remainder of the cationic polymer to which the second functional group shown in B is bonded, or the cationic polymer may comprise one or more of the first functional groups as shown in A and/or one or more of the second functional groups as shown in B where X represents an anion, typically chlorine. The cationic polymers are useful as textile softeners and for enhancing substantivity and durability of active compounds co-deposited onto textiles with the cationic polymers. Also provided is a method for forming said cationic polymer, a textile treatment composition and a textile treated with said textile treatment composition.