Lecithin Plasticizer Blends for Viscosity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lecithin compositions face challenges in reducing viscosity effectively, limiting their applicability as dispersants in both aqueous and non-aqueous systems, and they often require higher amounts to achieve comparable pigment loading, which can increase costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising lecithin blended with plasticizers such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) or dioctyl adipate (DOA), which reduces viscosity and enhances dispersant properties, allowing for higher pigment loading and improved applicability in paints, inks, and coatings while being more environmentally friendly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional lecithin compositions are used as dispersants, then pigment loading capacity is limited, but viscosity reduction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of lecithin by blending it with plasticizers (specifically dibenzoate plasticizers) to modify the physical property of viscosity. This parameter change enables the dispersant composition to achieve both lower viscosity and higher pigment loading capacity simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining lecithin with plasticizers to form a blended dispersant composition. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of both components: lecithin provides dispersant functionality while the plasticizer contributes to viscosity reduction, achieving superior overall performance
2Quantity of substance
If higher amounts of lecithin are used to achieve comparable pigment loading, then dispersant effectiveness improves, but cost and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the effectiveness parameter of the dispersant by changing its chemical composition to include plasticizers. This enhancement allows achieving high pigment loading capacity at lower dispersant concentrations, thereby reducing both cost and environmental impact per unit of pigment dispersed
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 lecithin-plasticizer blends achieve lower viscosity, enabling higher pigment loading and improved dispersion efficiency, stability, and color compatibility, while being bio-derived and low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), thus reducing environmental impact and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
In the presence of immiscible liquid phases, lecithin can reduce the interfacial surface tension and function as an emulsifier
Implementation Method 2
The lecithin-plasticizer blends achieve lower viscosity, enabling higher pigment loading and improved dispersion efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
The present invention is directed towards compositions having lecithin and a plasticizer. Processes for producing such compositions are further disclosed. The present invention is also directed towards uses of the novel compositions as a dispersant in order to disperse compounds, such as in the fields of coatings, inks, cosmetics and the like. In one embodiment, the dispersants of the present invention are used to disperse pigments.