Hydrophobic Polyether Copolymer for Multishear Rheology Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thickening agents for aqueous compositions, particularly in paints, fail to provide satisfactory rheological control across varying shear gradients, leading to issues like pigment settling, poor paint uptake, and splattering, while existing preparation methods are cumbersome and prone to viscosity drift.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a polymerization reaction between a dihalogenated compound, a polyhydroxylated monomer, and a hydrophobic mono alcohol, using a base in excess to control pH above 10, results in a copolymer with adjustable viscosity properties, allowing for high viscosity at low, medium, and high shear gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing thickening agents are used in aqueous compositions, then some rheological control is achieved, but satisfactory viscosity control across varying shear gradients cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of the thickening agent by using copolymers with specific hydrophobic group contents (0.1-10 mmol/g) and molecular weights (10,000-1,000,000 g/mol). These parameter adjustments enable the polymer to provide consistent viscosity control across low, medium, and high shear gradients, resolving the contradiction between reliable rheological control and adaptability to varying shear conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite polymer structures combining hydrophilic polyether chains with hydrophobic groups (such as alkyl or aryl groups). This composite structure allows the thickening agent to interact with both water and pigment particles effectively, providing comprehensive rheological control across different shear gradients while maintaining water solubility.
2Reliability
If paint formulation has high viscosity at low shear gradients to prevent pigment settling, then pigment stabilization is improved, but paint uptake by application tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic viscosity profile where the thickening agent responds differently to varying shear rates. At low shear gradients (storage conditions), the copolymer maintains high viscosity to stabilize pigments. At high shear gradients (application), the viscosity decreases appropriately, allowing controlled paint uptake. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between pigment stabilization and paint uptake.
3Reliability
If paint formulation has high viscosity at high shear gradients to reduce splattering, then application stability is improved, but filling property decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The copolymer's molecular weight and hydrophobic group content are optimized to achieve specific viscosity characteristics at high shear gradients. By controlling these parameters, the formulation maintains sufficient viscosity to prevent splattering while preserving adequate filling properties, as the thickening mechanism does not overly suppress flow under application conditions.
4Ease of manufacture
If known preparation methods are used for thickening agents, then polymer synthesis is achieved, but viscosity drift problems occur and reproducibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements controlled polymerization processes with monitored reaction parameters (temperature, monomer ratios, catalyst amounts) to ensure consistent copolymer structure. By controlling the hydrophobic group content (0.1-10 mmol/g) and molecular weight distribution through feedback-controlled synthesis, the method eliminates viscosity drift and achieves excellent batch-to-batch reproducibility while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 copolymer effectively stabilizes pigment dispersions, enhances paint uptake, reduces splattering, and provides consistent viscosity control, ensuring stable formulations with improved reproducibility and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
hydrophobic groups that are often insoluble in water. Such macromolecules have an associative character: when introduced in water, hydrophobic groups are able to assemble in the form of micellar aggregates
Implementation Method 2
hydrophobic groups are able to assemble in the form of micellar aggregates. These aggregates are connected to each other by the hydrophilic parts of the polymers
Implementation Method 3
A three-dimensional network then forms which causes the viscosity of the medium to increase
Implementation Method 4
using a base in excess to control pH above 10
Data Source
AI summary
A thickening copolymer and a non-continuous method for preparing the same. The preparation method first involves a polymerization reaction between a dihalogenated compound and a polyhydroxylated monomer, followed by a reaction with a hydrophobic monoalcohol. The copolymer is used in a rheology control composition and a method of controlling the viscosity of an aqueous composition, such as an ink, a varnish, an adhesive, and a paint.