Free Acid Herbicide Formulation with Surfactant Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional herbicides from the phenoxy-alkanoic acid and benzoic acid derivatives, particularly in ester forms, are more phytotoxic and less selective than their salt forms, leading to reduced crop yields and environmental risks due to volatility and drift issues, necessitating the development of formulations that maintain effectiveness while minimizing these drawbacks.
Innovation Solution
Formulating phenoxy-alkanoic acids and benzoic acid derivatives in free acid form with inert ingredients of low environmental impact, using organic solvents and surfactants to create emulsifiable concentrates with minimal water content, which are applied at reduced doses to control weeds while maintaining selectivity and reducing environmental risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If herbicides are formulated in ester forms to improve penetration through plant cuticles, then herbicidal effectiveness is improved, but phytotoxicity increases and selectivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical form parameter of the herbicide from ester to free acid, and modifies the formulation composition parameters (using specific solvents and surfactants with defined HLB values). This allows the free acid form to achieve penetration effectiveness while maintaining selectivity, resolving the contradiction between herbicidal effectiveness and phytotoxicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation system combining free acid herbicides with specific inert ingredients (solvents and surfactants). This composite approach enables the free acid to penetrate plant cuticles effectively while the formulation components control phytotoxicity, achieving both effectiveness and safety
2Reliability
If ester forms are used to enhance herbicidal activity, then weed control effectiveness improves, but environmental risks increase due to volatility and drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical form from volatile ester to less volatile free acid, and adjusts formulation parameters (using specific solvent-surfactant combinations). This reduces volatility and drift while maintaining herbicidal effectiveness, thereby reducing environmental risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically disadvantageous free acid form (which is less penetrating) into an effective formulation by combining it with specific solvents and surfactants. This transforms what would normally be a less effective form into one that achieves both effectiveness and reduced environmental harm
3Object-affected harmful factors
If free acid forms are used to reduce phytotoxicity, then selectivity is maintained, but penetration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that facilitate the penetration of free acid herbicides through plant cuticles. The surfactants act as mediators between the free acid and the plant surface, enabling efficient penetration while maintaining the selectivity advantages of the free acid form
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation where free acid herbicides are combined with specific solvents and surfactants. This composite system overcomes the penetration limitation of free acids while preserving their selectivity, achieving both low phytotoxicity and high penetration efficiency
4Reliability
If conventional formulations use high herbicide doses to ensure effectiveness, then weed control is achieved, but economic costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the formulation parameters (using free acid form with specific solvent-surfactant combinations) to enhance herbicidal efficiency. This allows achieving the same weed control effectiveness at lower herbicide doses, reducing both economic costs and environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the typically less effective free acid form into a high-efficiency formulation by combining it with specific inert ingredients. This conversion enables reduced dosing while maintaining effectiveness, turning a potential disadvantage into an economic and environmental benefit
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 formulation allows for effective weed control at lower herbicide doses, maintaining selectivity and reducing phytotoxicity and environmental impact, thereby enhancing both economic and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
formulated with or without surfactant
Implementation Method 2
The penetration of herbicides through the cuticles of plants will be favored by molecules that are not very polar and solubilized in an oil or a solvent
Implementation Method 3
formulated in emulsifiable concentrates (EC) or in emulsions (EW)
Data Source
AI summary
Herbicide composition containing at least one herbicide from the phenoxy-alkanoic acid family in acid form, and/or a derivative of benzoic acid, and at least one solvent or oil, characterized in that the composition includes at least one surfactant and contains 0 to 5% by mass of water.