Glyphosate Surfactant Composition for High-Loading Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of concentrated glyphosate formulations is challenging due to limited compatibility of surfactants at high glyphosate loadings, particularly with potassium and monoethanolamine salts, which affect solubility and density, hindering effective herbicidal efficacy.
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 each, enhances compatibility and allows for higher glyphosate concentrations up to 600 g a.e./L, improving formulation stability and efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If potassium salt of glyphosate is used to achieve high solubility and high density, then the loading concentration can be increased, but compatibility with common surfactants is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a specific salt form of glyphosate (ammonium, isopropylammonium, monoethanolammonium, or diammonium salt) as an intermediary between the active ingredient and surfactant. This intermediate salt form provides both high solubility for concentrated formulations and improved compatibility with surfactants, resolving the contradiction between high loading concentration and surfactant compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of glyphosate by converting it to different salt forms (ammonium, isopropylammonium, monoethanolammonium, or diammonium salts). This parameter change alters both the solubility and surfactant compatibility characteristics, enabling high concentration formulations with improved surfactant compatibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If other salts of glyphosate (such as MEA salt) are used to achieve better surfactant compatibility, then compatibility improves, but solubility and density are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects salt forms (ammonium, isopropylammonium, monoethanolammonium, or diammonium) that serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide good surfactant compatibility like MEA salt while also maintaining high solubility and density comparable to potassium salt. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between compatibility and solubility/density.
3Productivity
If concentrated glyphosate formulations are developed to increase herbicidal efficacy, then efficacy improves, but formulation stability becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of glyphosate to specific salt forms that enable high concentration formulations (600-800 g a.e./L) while maintaining formulation stability. The selected salts provide both the solubility needed for high concentrations and the compatibility needed for stability with surfactants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation system combining glyphosate salt with specific surfactants (alkyl polyglucosides, alkyl polyglycosides, or alkyl glucosides) in optimized ratios. This composite approach allows high concentration while maintaining stability through the synergistic interaction between the salt form and surfactant system.
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 enhanced herbicidal efficacy with increased glyphosate loadings, maintaining stability and compatibility with surfactants, enabling effective weed control and prolonged herbicidal activity.
Implementation Method 1
Glyphosate salts are typically co-formulated with a surfactant to maximize herbicidal efficacy
Implementation Method 2
a first surfactant present in an amount of from about 1 to about 15 weight percent actives based on a total weight of the composition
Data Source
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.