Cationic Polyurethane Dispersions via Methanesulfonic Acid Salification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aqueous dispersions of film-forming cationic polyurethanes face challenges in balancing components for good dispersibility, stability in water, and elasticity, which limits their availability and performance in cosmetic and industrial applications.

Innovation Solution

The use of aliphatic diisocyanates and methanesulfonic acid as a salifying agent for tertiary amine groups in the polymer preparation process, achieving a stable and transparent film with improved storability and gloss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional salifying agents are used for cationic polyurethanes, then dispersibility in water is achieved, but stability and storability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of aqueous dispersionVSAvoidstorability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter of the salifying agent from conventional options (such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or organic sulfonic acids) to methanesulfonic acid specifically. This parameter change results in remarkably stable aqueous dispersions with improved storability while maintaining good dispersibility. The patent demonstrates that this specific chemical substitution resolves the contradiction between dispersibility and stability/storability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If film-forming cationic polyurethanes are prepared for cosmetic use, then hair fixative properties are achieved, but formaldehyde residues from alternative resins create regulatory issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecosmetic performanceVSAvoidformaldehyde residues
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful formaldehyde component from the system by replacing ureaformaldehyde resins with cationic film-forming polyurethanes. This substitution removes the source of formaldehyde residues while maintaining the desired cosmetic performance for hair fixatives, directly addressing the regulatory concerns about harmful substances in personal care products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If aqueous dispersions are formulated for good dispersibility, then ease of application is improved, but film transparency and gloss are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedispersibilityVSAvoidfilm transparency and gloss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter of the salifying agent to methanesulfonic acid, which optimizes the balance between dispersibility and film quality. This specific chemical substitution enables the formulation to achieve both good aqueous dispersibility for easy application and enhanced film transparency and gloss, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and optical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 combination of aliphatic diisocyanates with methanesulfonic acid results in remarkably stable aqueous dispersions with enhanced transparency and gloss of the films, improving storability and performance in cosmetic and industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

reacting one or more aliphatic diisocyanates with an aliphatic tertiary amine having two hydroxyl groups that react with -NCO groups and a linear polyol to obtain a prepolymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

salifying with methanesulfonic acid the amine groups of the prepolymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcid-base reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2274352B1Aqueous dispersions of cationic film-forming polyurethanes
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 LAMBERTI SPA

AI summary

Stable aqueous dispersions of film-forming cationic polyurethanes are prepared by extending with water or amines a cationic prepolymer obtained from aliphatic diisocyanates, aliphatic tertiary amines having two hydroxyl groups that react with -NCO groups, linear polyols and methanesulfonic acid.