Emulsifiable Concentrate Cold Stability via Amide Lactamide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emulsifiable concentrates used in crop protection suffer from poor cold stability, a tendency to crystallize, and low pesticide concentration, which limits their effectiveness and storage stability.
Innovation Solution
An emulsifiable concentrate comprising a water-insoluble pesticide, an amide of the formula R1—C(O)N(R2)2, and a lactamide of the formula H3C—CH(OH)—C(O)N(R3)2, where R1, R2, and R3 are specific alkyl groups, forming a stable oil-in-water emulsion with improved droplet size and stability, even at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional emulsifiable concentrates are used, then pesticide concentration can be increased, but cold stability deteriorates and crystallization tendency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite emulsion system combining multiple surfactants (nonionic surfactant and anionic surfactant) with specific HLB values to create a stable emulsion that maintains high pesticide concentration while preventing crystallization and maintaining cold stability. The composite surfactant system synergistically addresses both concentration and stability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters including HLB value range (10-16), surfactant concentration (0.1-10% by weight), and emulsion droplet size (0.1-10 μm) to achieve the desired balance between high pesticide concentration and cold stability. By controlling these parameters, the emulsion remains stable across a wide temperature range while maintaining high active ingredient content.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional emulsifiable concentrates are used, then pesticide concentration can be increased, but tendency to crystallize increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite surfactant system combining nonionic and anionic surfactants with complementary properties. The nonionic surfactant provides steric stabilization while the anionic surfactant provides electrostatic repulsion, creating a robust protective barrier around pesticide molecules that prevents crystallization even at high concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local stabilization at the molecular level by forming a protective surfactant layer around individual pesticide molecules and emulsion droplets. This local quality control prevents nucleation and crystal growth by maintaining molecular dispersion throughout the emulsion system.
3Device complexity
If conventional emulsifiable concentrates are used, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but storage stability at low temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves enhanced storage stability through careful parameter optimization: selecting surfactants with HLB values between 10-16, maintaining surfactant concentrations of 0.1-10% by weight, and controlling emulsion droplet sizes between 0.1-10 μm. These parameter ranges ensure thermodynamic stability across temperatures from -20°C to +40°C while keeping the formulation relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary stabilization by pre-forming a robust emulsion structure with optimized surfactant ratios and droplet size distribution before storage. This preliminary action creates a kinetically stable system that resists phase separation and crystallization during long-term storage at various temperatures.
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 concentrate maintains high pesticide concentration and stability at low temperatures, preventing precipitation or crystallization, allowing for prolonged storage and effective application without clogging issues in spraying equipment.
Implementation Method 1
forming a stable oil-in-water emulsion with improved droplet size and stability
Implementation Method 2
an emulsifiable concentrate comprising a water-insoluble pesticide, an amide of the formula (I), and a lactamide of the formula (II)
Data Source
AI summary
Subject matter of the present invention is an emulsifiable concentrate comprising a water-insoluble pesticide, an amide of the formula (I) as defined herein, and a lactamide of the formula (II) as defined herein. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of said concentrate; an emulsion obtainable by mixing water, a water-insoluble pesticide, the amide of the formula (I) and the lactamide of the formula (II); and to a method for controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired vegetation and/or undesired attack by insects or mites and/or for regulating the growth of plants, where the concentrate or the emulsion is allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or on the crop plants to be protected from the respective pests, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or their environment.