High Load Suspension Concentrate Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Formulating high load suspension concentrate (SC) compositions for agricultural applications is challenging due to issues like caking, skinning, sedimentation, crystal growth, and incompatibility with water-soluble active ingredients, which affect stability and usability.

Innovation Solution

A high loaded SC composition comprising a pesticide, a block copolymer (PolyAgro) with a hydrophobic and hydrophilic block containing negatively charged moieties, and at least one non-ionic surfactant, which stabilizes the composition and prevents issues like foaming and layer separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high load SC composition is formulated, then pesticide concentration is increased, but stability is deteriorated due to caking, skinning and sedimentation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepesticide concentrationVSAvoidformulation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specific surfactant as an intermediary substance to mediate between the high concentration pesticide and the aqueous carrier. This surfactant forms stable micellar structures that solubilize the hydrophobic pesticide molecules, preventing them from aggregating and causing instability. The surfactant acts as a bridge that allows high pesticide loading while maintaining formulation stability through its amphiphilic nature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite formulation system combining multiple components: high concentration pesticide, specific surfactant, and aqueous carrier. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve both high active ingredient content and stability by leveraging the synergistic effects of the components, where the surfactant-modified pesticide molecules form stable dispersed structures in the aqueous phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If high load SC composition is formulated, then pesticide concentration is increased, but physical stability is worsened due to crystal growth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepesticide concentrationVSAvoidphysical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The surfactant serves as a molecular intermediary that adsorbs onto the surface of pesticide molecules, forming a protective layer that prevents crystal nucleation and growth. This surfactant coating acts as a physical barrier that disrupts the orderly arrangement of pesticide molecules needed for crystal formation, thereby maintaining physical stability even at high concentrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the molecular environment parameters by introducing surfactant molecules that alter the solubility and aggregation behavior of the pesticide. This parameter change in the molecular interactions prevents the phase transition from molecularly dispersed state to crystalline state, thereby preventing crystal growth while maintaining high pesticide concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If high load SC composition is formulated, then pesticide concentration is increased, but chemical stability is worsened due to incompatibility with water soluble active ingredients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepesticide concentrationVSAvoidchemical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The surfactant acts as a chemical intermediary that is compatible with both hydrophobic pesticides and water-soluble active ingredients. Its amphiphilic structure allows it to interface with both types of compounds, preventing adverse chemical interactions while enabling high concentration formulation. The surfactant creates a compatible chemical environment that accommodates multiple active ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops a composite formulation system that integrates hydrophobic pesticides, water-soluble active ingredients, and surfactant molecules into a chemically compatible mixture. This composite approach allows components with different solubility characteristics to coexist stably through the mediating effect of the surfactant, enabling high load formulations with multiple active ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of operation

If conventional SC formulation is used, then ease of handling is achieved, but stability is insufficient due to layer separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidresistance to layer separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The surfactant serves as a stabilizing intermediary that forms strong interfacial films between the pesticide phase and aqueous phase. This surfactant film acts as a mechanical barrier that prevents layer separation while maintaining the flowable characteristics that provide ease of handling. The surfactant's amphiphilic nature allows it to reduce interfacial tension and create stable emulsion-like structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 stability and effective dispersion of the pesticide, maintaining chemical and physical stability over time, and ensuring easy handling and application without residue or equipment damage.

Implementation Method 1

the block copolymers adsorb on the surfaces of the active ingredient particles in a dispersion to result in a stable brushed 'particle-polymer' complex

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

the block copolymer is adsorbed on hydrophobic surfaces of the agricultural material compound particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

by combining steric and ionic stabilization they preform well at both high and low concentrations of electrolytes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic repulsion: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 4

by combining steric and ionic stabilization they preform well at both high and low concentrations of electrolytes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteric stabilization:

Implementation Method 5

by combining steric and ionic stabilization they preform well at both high and low concentrations of electrolytes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteric and ionic stabilization:

Data Source

PatentUS20250031692A1High load suspension concentrate compositions
Publication Date: 2025.01.30 ADAMA AGAN LTD
  • US20250031692A1 patent drawing
  • US20250031692A1 patent drawing
  • US20250031692A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to high loaded suspension concentrate (SC) composition comprising a pesticide, a block copolymer, composed of a hydrophobic block and a hydrophilic block which contains negatively charged moieties (Poly Agro) and at least one non-ionic surfactant. Also, the present invention describes, a high loaded suspension concentrate (SC) composition, wherein: pyroxasulfone or saflufenacil is about 62 w/w % or is about 53 w/w %, respectively, with respect to the total weight on the composition: Poly Agro is from about 1 to about 10 w/w % with respect to the total weight on the composition; and at least one non-ionic surfactant is from about 1 to about 15 w/w % with respect to the total weight of the composition.