Dielectric-Graded Ternary Solvent Formulation for Stable PGRs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agrochemical formulations face challenges in maintaining the chemical stability of plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as gibberellic acid, kinetin, and indolebutyric acid due to their solubility issues in aqueous solutions, leading to rapid degradation, which is not addressed by current non-aqueous solvent systems like those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,344.
Innovation Solution
A ternary solvent system comprising a high dielectric polar aprotic solvent, a medium dielectric solvent, and a low dielectric solvent, along with an emulsifier, is used to dissolve and stabilize PGRs, forming a spontaneous emulsion when mixed with an aqueous solution for application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If aqueous solutions are used to dissolve PGRs, then the PGRs are soluble and easily applied, but the PGRs undergo rapid chemical breakdown and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from aqueous (water-based) to non-aqueous (organic solvent-based), specifically using a mixture of alcohols and esters. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing a solvent system that maintains PGR solubility while preventing chemical breakdown, as the non-aqueous environment does not facilitate the hydrolysis reactions that occur in water.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary solvent system consisting of specific alcohol and ester compounds that act as mediators between the PGRs and the application environment. These intermediary solvents provide a stable medium that dissolves PGRs without promoting their degradation, bridging the gap between solubility requirements and stability requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If non-aqueous solvent systems are used to stabilize PGRs, then chemical stability is improved, but the solubility of polar PGR compounds is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple non-aqueous solvents (alcohols and esters) into a combined solvent system. This combination creates a synergistic effect where the alcohol component provides polarity for dissolving polar PGRs while the ester component provides stability and reduced hydrolysis. The merging of these complementary solvents resolves the contradiction by achieving both high solubility and high stability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system combining specific alcohol and ester compounds in defined ratios. This composite approach allows the formulation to exhibit properties that neither pure alcohol nor pure ester systems provide alone, achieving optimal balance between polarity for solubility and stability for preventing degradation.
3Ease of operation
If glycol or alcoholic solvents are used to dissolve PGRs, then the PGRs are soluble, but the chemical stability is compromised due to polar protic solvent characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using specific types of alcohols (lower alcohol content) and esters in controlled proportions within the solvent mixture. By locally optimizing the solvent composition parameters, the formulation achieves adequate polarity for solubility while minimizing the protic characteristics that cause degradation, thus resolving the contradiction between solubility and stability.
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 ternary solvent system effectively stabilizes PGRs, reducing degradation to less than 10% over two weeks at elevated temperatures, enabling stable emulsions for agricultural use and improved crop yields.
Implementation Method 1
dissolving at least one plant growth regulator (PGR) in a mixture of a first solvent and a second solvent defining a binary solvent system
Implementation Method 2
The at least one emulsifier may be configured to form a spontaneous emulsion when the agrochemical formulation is mixed with an aqueous solution
Data Source
AI summary
An agrochemical formulation including one or more plant growth regulators in a ternary solvent system defining an emulsifiable concentrate that is configured to reduce degradation of the plant growth hormone prior to application to plants. The ternary solvent system includes a plurality of non-aqueous solvents, such as a first solvent, a second solvent, and a third solvent. A dielectric constant of the first solvent is greater than a dielectric constant of the second solvent. A dielectric constant of the second solvent is greater than a dielectric constant of the third solvent. At least one plant growth regulator (PGR) or other plant growth hormone and at least one surfactant or emulsifier is dissolved in the ternary solvent system.