DMSO Glycerol Mixture Crystallization Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has a high crystallization point, leading to storage and handling issues, especially at low temperatures, and adding water or certain alcohols to lower it results in formulation and application problems such as demixing and reduced effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

Adding glycerol at a specific ratio to DMSO effectively lowers its crystallization point without hindering miscibility or effectiveness, using a mixture like DMSO/glycerol 80/20 (w/w) or DMSO/glycerol/water 80/18/2 (w/w) with optional sodium chloride, which avoids demixing and maintains stripping and cleaning efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If water is added to DMSO to lower its crystallization point, then the crystallization point is reduced, but demixing occurs and effectiveness is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrystallization pointVSAvoidmiscibility

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Glycerol serves as an intermediary substance between DMSO and water. It is added to the DMSO-based formulation to prevent demixing when water is present, maintaining the stability and homogeneity of the composition while allowing the water to effectively lower the crystallization point of DMSO.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If water is added to DMSO to lower its crystallization point, then the crystallization point is reduced, but stripping efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrystallization pointVSAvoidstripping efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Glycerol acts as a protective intermediary that allows water to be incorporated into the DMSO formulation without compromising stripping efficiency. The glycerol-DMSO association prevents the formation of DMSO-water aggregates that would otherwise reduce molecular diffusion rates and stripping effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If monohydric alcohols are used to lower the crystallization point of DMSO, then the crystallization point is reduced, but flammability and toxicity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrystallization pointVSAvoidflammability and toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter of the additive from monohydric alcohols (flammable and toxic) to glycerol (non-flammable and non-toxic). This parameter change maintains the ability to lower the crystallization point of DMSO while eliminating the harmful effects associated with alcoholic additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Use of energy by stationary object

If DMSO is stored at low temperatures, then storage cost is reduced, but crystallization occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage energyVSAvoidphysical state

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the compositional parameter of DMSO by adding glycerol, which fundamentally alters the phase behavior of the system. This allows the mixture to remain in liquid state at low temperatures where pure DMSO would crystallize, enabling energy-efficient cold storage without compromising physical stability.

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 DMSO/glycerol mixture achieves a crystallization point of 0°C or lower without compromising the effectiveness of stripping and cleaning compositions, reducing storage and handling challenges while avoiding the issues associated with water addition.

Implementation Method 1

adding glycerol at a level lower than the level of a cosolvent in DMSO, which is usually 50 to 90 parts by weight of cosolvent in a DMSO + cosolvent mixture, was very effective in lowering the crystallization point of DMSO. Thus, an 80/20 (w/w) DMSO + glycerol mixture has a crystallization point of 0°C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystallization point depression: Freezing

Implementation Method 2

an organic compound which has several hydroxyl groups, promoting the lowering of the crystallization point of DMSO, and which is carbon-based, allowing good miscibility with other traditional organic constituents such as solvents and activators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMiscibility: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3795648B1Formulation of dimethyl sulfoxide in mixture with an additive capable of reducing the crystallisation point of the latter, and uses of said mixture

Publication Date: 2024.04.03 GAYLORD CHEMICAL CO LLC

Figure 1~5

AI summary

The use of at least one diol and/or at least one triol as an additive to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to lower its crystallization point. The DMSO formulation is used in combination with the aforementioned additive as a paint stripping composition, surface cleaning composition, graffiti removal composition, surface cleaning composition in the field of microelectronics such as a photoresist peeling agent, DMSO-based agrochemical composition or as a constituent of the aforementioned composition, as a polymer dissolving solvent, or as a constituent of a composition useful in the field of cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.