Cyclocarbonate Vinyl Copolymer Binder for Stable Aqueous Dispersions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-based systems using polyisocyanates are not storage-stable due to sensitivity to moisture and toxicity concerns, and one-component systems with aziridines have unfavorable pH effects and toxicity issues, limiting the development of stable, high-solids-content aqueous dispersions without organic solvents or additional emulsifiers.
Innovation Solution
A water-dispersible, cyclocarbonate-functionalized vinyl copolymer binder is developed, incorporating cyclic carbonate and emulsifier groups into the polymer chain, allowing for stable aqueous dispersions with up to 30% solids content without NCO groups or aziridines, using a two-component system with amines for crosslinking, and eliminating the need for organic solvents or additional emulsifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyisocyanates are used in water-based systems, then high acid, alkali and chemical resistance is achieved, but storage stability is lost due to moisture sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic NCO groups from the water-based system while retaining the desired chemical resistance properties through alternative chemistry (cyclic carbonate groups that crosslink with amines), thereby eliminating moisture sensitivity while preserving protective performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the system by substituting polyisocyanate chemistry with cyclic carbonate-amine chemistry, fundamentally altering the reaction mechanism to achieve both water compatibility and storage stability while maintaining chemical resistance
2Productivity
If monomeric and low molecular weight isocyanate compounds are used, then high reactivity is achieved, but toxicological safety deteriorates due to volatility and migration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite binder system combining cyclic carbonate functional groups with polymer chains, embedding the reactive groups within a polymeric structure that prevents volatility and migration while maintaining crosslinking reactivity through the cyclic carbonate-amine reaction
3Strength
If aziridines are used to introduce amine groups, then crosslinking capability is achieved, but toxicity increases due to carcinogenic properties
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the toxic aziridine component from the system, replacing it with safer amine sources while preserving the essential crosslinking function through alternative amine compounds that provide the same network formation capability without carcinogenic risks
4Reliability
If carboxylate groups are used to achieve water dispersibility, then emulsification is improved, but pH increases which reduces hydrolytic stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the aqueous dispersion by using non-carboxylate emulsifier systems, thereby maintaining water dispersibility while avoiding the high pH conditions that would compromise hydrolytic stability and storage life of the cyclic carbonate groups
5Quantity of substance
If high solids content is achieved in aqueous dispersions, then organic solvent content is reduced, but dispersibility and stability become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention develops a composite polymer architecture integrating multiple functional groups (cyclic carbonate, emulsifier, and crosslinkable groups) within single polymer chains, creating a molecularly dispersed system that achieves high solids content while maintaining colloidal stability through the synergistic interaction of these embedded functional groups
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 binder achieves stable aqueous dispersions with improved storage stability and hydrolytic resistance, eliminating the need for organic solvents and toxic aziridines, with a shelf life of at least one year and efficient curing at room temperature, ensuring commercial viability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the reaction of a cyclic carbonate group with an amine group
Implementation Method 2
cyclic carbonate compounds can be crosslinked by amines
Implementation Method 3
chemically incorporate the required emulsifiers into the chain of the binder in order to achieve molecular dispersibility of the binder
Implementation Method 4
the polymerization of vinyl compounds that carry cyclic carbonate groups is greatly accelerated compared to the correspondingly unsubstituted vinyl compounds due to intramolecular and intermolecular effects of these groups
Implementation Method 5
the polymerization of vinyl compounds that carry cyclic carbonate groups is greatly accelerated compared to the correspondingly unsubstituted vinyl compounds due to intramolecular and intermolecular effects of these groups
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a water dispersible, cyclic-carbonate-functionalized vinyl copolymer binding agent, to a method for producing the binding agent, to an aqueous dispersion comprising the binding agent, to a system comprising the binding agent, water and an (amine) hardener, and to the use of the binding agent to produce a hardened coating. It was surprisingly found that said binding agent, in which the emulsifier groups according to the invention are integrated in the polymer chain, results in stable aqueous dispersions having a solid matter content of up to > 30% by weight.