Epoxy-Amidoamine Surfactants for Small-Particle Stable Dispersions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aqueous dispersions of epoxy resins face inferior performance compared to solvent-borne counterparts due to surfactant migration affecting film quality, and suffer from reduced storage stability and increased particle size with higher surfactant levels, while lower surfactant levels compromise dispersion efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Development of improved surfactants through the reaction of an epoxy composition with an amidoamine composition formed from a blend of acid-terminated polyoxyalkylene polyols, creating epoxy functional surfactants that reduce particle size and enhance storage stability by optimizing surfactant levels and pH control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If higher surfactant levels are used to decrease particle size and improve dispersion efficiency, then particle size is reduced and dispersion efficiency is improved, but storage stability is reduced and pH increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle sizeVSAvoidstorage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of the surfactant by using amidoamine compounds with specific molecular weights and structures, rather than simply adjusting surfactant concentration. This structural parameter change allows achieving small particle size with lower surfactant levels, thereby maintaining storage stability while improving dispersion efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite surfactant systems comprising amidoamine compounds combined with specific epoxy resins and polyoxyalkylene polyols. This composite approach creates synergistic effects that improve dispersion efficiency at lower surfactant levels while maintaining storage stability and controlling pH

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If higher surfactant levels are used to effectively disperse solids in water, then dispersion efficiency is improved, but pH increases and storage stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispersion efficiencyVSAvoidstorage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant to amidoamine compounds with optimized molecular structures that provide superior dispersion efficiency at lower concentrations. This allows achieving high productivity without the adverse effects of high surfactant levels on storage stability and pH

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If lower surfactant levels are used to control pH, then storage stability is improved, but particle size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidparticle size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the surfactant structure to amidoamine compounds that are more effective per unit concentration. This structural parameter change enables maintaining small particle size even at lower surfactant levels, thus preserving storage stability while avoiding particle growth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If conventional surfactants are used to render epoxy component emulsifiable, then emulsification is achieved, but surfactants migrate to surface interfaces and affect film performance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveemulsificationVSAvoidfilm performance degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant to amidoamine compounds with optimized hydrophilic-lipophilic balance. This structural modification reduces the tendency of surfactants to migrate to surface interfaces while maintaining emulsification capability, thereby preventing film performance degradation

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 new surfactants achieve reduced particle size, improved shelf life, and enhanced non-volatiles content with lower viscosity in epoxy polymer dispersions, addressing stability and efficiency issues in aqueous epoxy resin systems.

Implementation Method 1

the two or more acid terminated polyoxyalkylene polyol compounds have from about 50% to about 100% of carboxylic end groups oxidized from hydroxyl end groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

improved epoxy functional surfactants prepared by reaction of an epoxy composition and an amidoamine composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS9234116B2Epoxy systems and amine polymer systems and methods for making the same

Publication Date: 2016.01.12 WESTLAKE EPOXY INC

AI summary

Compositions and methods for forming surfactants, aqueous dispersions, and curing agents are provided. In one aspect, the invention relates to improved epoxy functional surfactants prepared by reaction of an epoxy composition and an amidoamine composition formed from a blend of acid-terminated polyoxyalkylene polyols. The improved epoxy functional surfactants may be reacted with an excess of epoxy composition and water to result in an aqueous dispersion. The amidoamine composition may be a reaction mixture of a diamine compound and an acid terminated polyoxyalkylene composition formed from two or more polyoxyalkylene polyol compounds. The epoxy functional surfactant may be reacted with amine compounds to form a compound suitable as a curing agent.