Crosslinked Cationic Polymer Thickener for Fast Water Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fabric softener compositions with cationic polymeric thickeners face challenges in dispersing easily and rapidly in water, particularly when viscous, due to inadequate dispersability properties, despite improvements in rheology and anti-redeposition benefits.

Innovation Solution

A cationic polymer thickener is developed using gel polymerization with a crosslinking agent concentration of 500 ppm to 10,000 ppm and a water extractable polymer content below 15 wt%, resulting in particles that swell significantly in water, enhancing dispersability and thickening capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If cationic polymeric thickeners are used to improve rheology profile, then viscosity and anti-redeposition benefits are improved, but dispersability in water deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveviscosityVSAvoiddispersability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the crosslinking agent concentration (500-10,000 ppm) and water extractable polymer content (<15 wt%) to optimize the balance between viscosity and dispersability. This quantitative parameter control resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal range where both thickening and dispersability requirements are satisfied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by creating a crosslinked cationic polymer system that combines water-soluble and water-insoluble components. The composite structure includes crosslinked polymer networks with controlled extractable fractions, enabling simultaneous achievement of high viscosity and good dispersability through the synergistic combination of different polymer phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If crosslinked water swellable polymers are used to achieve thickening, then rheology profile is improved, but dispersability and rapid mixing properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverheologyVSAvoiddispersion time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes by optimizing the crosslinking density (500-10,000 ppm crosslinking agent) and controlling the water extractable polymer content (<15 wt%). These parameter adjustments create a polymer system that swells rapidly in water while maintaining strong rheological performance, eliminating the need for prolonged mechanical stirring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the polymer with optimal crosslinking structure and extractable content during manufacturing. This preliminary optimization of polymer structure ensures that the thickener disperses rapidly in water without requiring extended mixing time, as the polymer is pre-configured for fast wetting and swelling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If heavily crosslinked cationic thickeners are used to improve viscosity, then thickening capacity is improved, but dispersability and homogeneity in water deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethickening capacityVSAvoidhomogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by designing a crosslinked polymer system with controlled extractable fractions. The composite structure combines crosslinked networks (for thickening capacity) with water-soluble components (for dispersability and homogeneity). This composite approach ensures uniform distribution in water while maintaining high viscosity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by precisely controlling the crosslinking agent concentration (500-10,000 ppm) and water extractable polymer content (<15 wt%). These parameter optimizations ensure that the polymer achieves high thickening capacity while maintaining homogeneous dispersion, preventing aggregation and ensuring uniform composition throughout the solution.

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 polymer exhibits dramatic improvement in dispersability and viscosifying properties, allowing for rapid and homogeneous dispersion in water, outperforming traditional methods like inverse emulsion polymerization, with a Dispersion Index of 1-5 and viscosity between 10 and 10,000 cps.

Implementation Method 1

crosslinked water swellable cationic polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

viscosifying properties, allowing for rapid and homogeneous dispersion in water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosifying:

Data Source

PatentEP3234092B1Cationic polymer thickeners

Publication Date: 2019.04.03 S P C M SA

Figure 1~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a process for preparing a cationic polymer thickener in particle form, said polymer consisting of a crosslinked water swellable cationic polymer comprising at least one cationic water soluble monomer and optionally at least one non-ionic water soluble monomer and/or at least one anionic water soluble monomer, wherein said polymer has a water extractable polymer content lower than 15 wt% as compared to the weight of the polymer, and wherein said polymer is obtained by gel polymerization of said monomers in the presence of from 500 ppm to 10.000 ppm of crosslinking agent relative to the weight of the monomers.