Low-Temperature Dispersing of Methacrylate Copolymers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing aqueous dispersions of cationic (meth)acrylate copolymers, composed of methyl methacrylate, ethylacrylate, and trimethylammoniumethyl methacrylate, require high temperatures (60-85°C), making the process costly and complex, and there is a need for a method to facilitate the preparation of these dispersions at lower temperatures for use in oral or dermal pharmaceutical preparations.
Innovation Solution
A process converting solid (meth)acrylate copolymers into a dispersed form using a dispersing agent, such as plasticizers and emulsifiers, at temperatures below 45°C, allowing for the preparation of aqueous dispersions suitable for oral or dermal pharmaceutical applications without the need for costly heating steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high temperature (60-85°C) is used for dispersing the (meth)acrylate copolymer, then the dispersing process is effective, but the process becomes costly and complex due to heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A dispersing agent is introduced as an intermediary substance to facilitate the dispersing of (meth)acrylate copolymer particles in aqueous medium at low temperatures. The dispersing agent adsorbs onto the polymer particle surfaces, providing steric or electrostatic stabilization that prevents aggregation, thereby enabling effective dispersion without requiring high temperature heating devices
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from high (60-85°C) to low (below 45°C, preferably room temperature) by introducing a dispersing agent. This parameter change is made possible because the dispersing agent provides the necessary stabilization mechanism that replaces the thermal energy previously required for effective dispersing
2Reliability
If high temperature (60-85°C) is used for dispersing the (meth)acrylate copolymer, then the dispersing process is effective, but the preparation time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersing agent acts as a mediator that enables rapid dispersion at low temperatures, eliminating the need for time-consuming heating processes. The agent quickly adsorbs onto polymer particles and provides immediate stabilization, significantly reducing preparation time while maintaining dispersing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the thermal field (heating system) with a chemical field (dispersing agent action). Instead of using thermal energy to achieve dispersion, the chemical interaction between the dispersing agent and polymer particles provides the necessary stabilization, thereby reducing both time and energy consumption
3Device complexity
If a dispersing agent is used to enable low temperature dispersing, then the process becomes simpler and cheaper, but additional substances are introduced into the formulation
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersing agent is selected to serve multiple functions: it provides steric or electrostatic stabilization of polymer particles, prevents aggregation, and in some cases may also provide additional benefits such as pH buffering or compatibility with other formulation components. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the substance by providing multiple benefits rather than a single function
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
This process enables the production of ready-to-use dispersions with a solid content of 10-90% by weight, facilitating the use of cationic (meth)acrylate copolymers in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical formulations, reducing preparation time and costs while maintaining the effectiveness of the polymer in forming clear, flexible films.
Implementation Method 1
A process for converting a solid (METH)acrylate copolymer into a dispersed form by means of a dispersing agent
Implementation Method 2
The aqueous dispersion is containing a cationic (meth)acrylate copolymer and a dispersing agent for facilitating the step of dispersing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a process for converting a solid (meth)acrylate copolymer into a dispersed form by preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising the components (a) a (meth)acrylate copolymer which is composed of free-radical polymerized methyl methacrylate, ethylacrylate and a salt of 2-trimethylammoniumethyl methacrylate, present in solid form as a powder or as a granulate, (b) up to 50 % by weight calculated on the (meth)acrylate copolymer (a) of a dispersing agent selected from the groups of (b) i) plasticizers in combination with emulsifiers and/or (b) ii) pharmaceutically acceptable carbohydrates having 6 to 18 carbon atoms with a functional group and (c) water by mixing the components (a), (b) and (c) to give a suspension which becomes an aqueous dispersion during the conversion of the solid (meth)acrylate copolymer into the dispersed form, characterized in that, the (meth)acrylate copolymer is converted into the dispersed form by means of the presence of the dispersing agent at a temperature of less than 50°C.