Surfactant Combination for High-Salt Herbicide Suspensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing herbicidal formulations face challenges such as insufficient herbicidal activity, narrow spectrum of control, low selectivity, phytotoxicity, and chemical instability of sulfonylurea herbicides, particularly when combined with water-soluble salts like glyphosate, leading to rapid degradation and loss of efficacy.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous suspension concentrates containing thiencarbazone-methyl, tembotrione, glyphosate-K, and cyprosulfamide, stabilized by a specific surfactant combination of alkyl ether phosphate and alkyl polyglycoside, allowing low concentrations of sulfonylurea herbicides to maintain herbicidal efficacy and stability even in high salt content environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sulfonylurea herbicides are combined with water-soluble salts like glyphosate in aqueous formulations, then the formulation provides broad-spectrum herbicidal activity and good solubility, but the sulfonylurea herbicide rapidly degrades and loses efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific surfactant combination (nonionic surfactant at 0.1-5% and anionic surfactant at 0.1-5%) as an intermediary between the sulfonylurea herbicide and the aqueous salt solution. This surfactant system forms a protective interface that prevents direct interaction between the herbicide and degrading factors in the high-salt environment, thereby maintaining chemical stability while allowing broad-spectrum herbicidal activity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the formulation by controlling pH (3.0-6.0) and using specific surfactant combinations. These parameter changes create a stable environment for the sulfonylurea herbicide in the presence of high salt content, preventing rapid degradation while maintaining solubility and herbicidal efficacy
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the concentration of sulfonylurea herbicide is reduced to low levels, then the formulation improves safety and reduces phytotoxicity, but the herbicidal efficacy becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The surfactant combination acts as a mediator that enhances the performance of low-concentration sulfonylurea herbicides. By forming stable micellar structures and improving wetting properties, the surfactants increase the bioavailability and effectiveness of the herbicide at low concentrations, maintaining sufficient herbicidal activity while reducing phytotoxicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite formulation system combining sulfonylurea herbicide, water-soluble salt (glyphosate), and a specific surfactant combination. This composite material synergistically enhances herbicidal efficacy at low concentrations while the sulfonamide safener component further protects against phytotoxicity, achieving both reduced harm and maintained effectiveness
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple herbicides are combined in a single formulation, then the spectrum of control is broadened and synergistic effects are achieved, but the formulation complexity increases and stability problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal surfactant combination system that simultaneously performs multiple functions: solubilizing different herbicide types, maintaining chemical stability, providing wetting and spreading properties, and ensuring compatibility between components. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall formulation despite combining multiple herbicides with different properties
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation creates a stable composite material system where the surfactant combination and sulfonamide safener serve as compatibility agents between different herbicide classes (sulfonylurea and water-soluble salts). This composite structure allows broad-spectrum control while managing formulation complexity through proven stable component interactions
4Ease of operation
If conventional surfactants are used in high-salt formulations, then the formulation provides basic dispersing properties, but the surfactants lose effectiveness and chemical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies optimal concentration ranges for both nonionic (0.1-5%) and anionic (0.1-5%) surfactants in high-salt environments. This parameter optimization ensures the surfactants maintain their effectiveness for dispersing and stabilizing the formulation despite the presence of high salt content, preventing chemical degradation
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 provides stable, homogeneous distribution and improved herbicidal efficacy, maintaining biological activity and selectivity, even at low concentrations of sulfonylurea herbicides, while avoiding nozzle clogging and chemical degradation.
Implementation Method 1
stabilized by a specific surfactant combination of alkyl ether phosphate and alkyl polyglycoside
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to aqueous dispersions comprising an ALS inhibitor, typically a sulfonylurea herbicide, specifically from the class of triazolinones herbicides, a HPPD inhibitor, specifically a triketone as from the class of 2 -benzoyl- 1,3- cyclohexanedione herbicides, optionally a safener from the class of the sulfonamides, a water-soluble herbicide present as a salt, specifically glyphosate and to dispersions resulting from dispersing the concentrate suspension in water, to a method of making the aqueous suspension and to a method of controlling unwanted plants using these dispersions.