Glyphosate Herbicidal Composition for High-Loading Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of concentrated glyphosate herbicides is challenging due to limited compatibility of surfactants at high loadings, particularly with potassium and monoethanolamine salts, which affect formulation efficacy and solubility.
Innovation Solution
A herbicidal composition comprising glyphosate or its derivatives, a first surfactant with specific alkyl and alkylene oxide groups, and a second surfactant with similar characteristics, in amounts ranging from 1 to 15 weight percent, enhancing compatibility and allowing for higher glyphosate concentrations up to 600 g a.e./L.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If potassium salt of glyphosate is used to achieve high solubility and high density for higher loadings, then the solubility and density are improved, but the compatibility with common surfactants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the surfactant by introducing a specific amine component with controlled hydrophobic and hydrophilic balance. This amine component has a specific molecular structure that modifies the overall surfactant properties, enabling compatibility with potassium glyphosate at high concentrations while maintaining solubility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite surfactant system comprising multiple components including the specific amine, additional surfactants, and auxiliary compounds. This composite approach allows each component to contribute different properties: the amine provides compatibility with potassium salt, other surfactants provide solubility enhancement, and the combination achieves synergistic effects for stable high-concentration formulations.
2Reliability
If other salts of glyphosate (e.g., MEA salt) are used to achieve better surfactant compatibility, then the compatibility is improved, but the solubility and density are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surfactant composition parameters to specifically match the requirements of potassium glyphosate. The amine component has optimized hydrophobic and hydrophilic balance that compensates for the poor compatibility of potassium salt, allowing the formulation to achieve both high loading and good compatibility simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The specific amine component acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the potassium glyphosate and other surfactants in the formulation. It facilitates compatibility by forming stable associations with potassium ions while maintaining interfaces with other surfactant molecules, thus enabling the coexistence of all components at high concentrations.
3Productivity
If concentrated glyphosate formulations are developed to achieve higher efficacy, then the herbicidal efficacy is improved, but the formulation stability deteriorates due to limited surfactant compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-component composite surfactant system where each ingredient serves a specific function. The combination includes the key amine component for potassium salt compatibility, additional surfactants for solubility and emulsification, and auxiliary compounds for stability enhancement. This composite structure maintains formulation stability even at high glyphosate concentrations of 540 g/L and above.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes multiple formulation parameters simultaneously: the molecular structure of the amine component, the concentration ratios of different surfactants, the pH range, and the ionic strength. These parameter optimizations work together to maintain both high efficacy and long-term stability in concentrated formulations.
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 composition achieves improved herbicidal efficacy and stability, enabling higher glyphosate loadings and broader surfactant compatibility, facilitating effective weed control with enhanced solubility and storage stability.
Implementation Method 1
glyphosate salts are typically co-formulated with a surfactant to maximize herbicidal efficacy
Implementation Method 2
the potassium salt of glyphosate is advantageous due to the high solubility in water
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A herbicidal composition includes glyphosate and first and second surfactants. The first surfactant has the structure: wherein R1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having from 5 to 22 carbon atoms, each of R2, R3 and R4 is independently an alkylene oxide group, a is from 0 to 10, each of b and c is independently from about 1 to about 10; and n is 0 to about 3. The second surfactant has the structure: wherein R5 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, each of R6 and R7 is independently an alkylene oxide group, and each of d and e is independently from about 1 to about 5.