Microemulsion Adjuvants for Stable Agrochemical Spray Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current adjuvants based on vegetable oils and methylated vegetable oils often require sophisticated emulsifier systems and can separate into creamy or oily phases when diluted, leading to poor homogenization and reduced efficacy in agrochemical applications.
Innovation Solution
Formulating stable microemulsions containing specific surfactant mixtures, including anionic derivatives of alkylpolyglycosides, alkylpolyglycosides, and nonionic surfactants with methyl esters of fatty acids from transesterified vegetable oils, which maintain stability and enhance biological activity when diluted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If vegetable oils and methylated vegetable oils are used as adjuvants in emulsifiable concentrate form, then they provide good emulsification and spray retention, but they separate into creamy or oily phases when diluted with water, requiring sophisticated emulsifier systems and good homogenization before application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the physical state of the adjuvant from macroemulsion to microemulsion by changing the droplet size parameter from micrometer scale to submicrometer scale (nanometer range). This parameter change enables the system to remain stable and homogeneous upon dilution without requiring complex emulsifier systems, as the extremely small droplet size prevents phase separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for mechanical homogenization devices (homogenizers, mixers) with a chemically stable microemulsion system. The microemulsion's thermodynamic stability eliminates the requirement for mechanical intervention before application, as the formulation remains uniformly dispersed without settling or phase separation
2Ease of manufacture
If mineral oils are used with nonylphenol ethoxylates as emulsifiers, then good emulsification is achieved, but phytotoxicity and ecotoxicological impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces persistent and toxic mineral oil-based emulsifiers with biodegradable vegetable oil-based microemulsions. The vegetable oil components are naturally decomposable by environmental microorganisms, providing a short-lived, non-persistent alternative that eliminates long-term ecological harm while maintaining emulsification functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically problematic property of vegetable oils (tendency to separate and require complex emulsifiers) into a benefit by formulating them as microemulsions. The same vegetable oil components that would normally cause phase separation become the basis for a stable, environmentally benign adjuvant system when processed into submicrometer droplets
3Area of stationary object
If spray droplets are made smaller to increase surface area coverage, then spray retention on foliar surface improves, but droplet momentum decreases, reducing penetration through waxy cuticles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the size parameter of the adjuvant droplets to the submicrometer range (10-1000 nm), which is small enough to provide enormous surface area coverage and enhance wetting, yet the amphiphilic nature of the microemulsion provides sufficient interfacial activity to facilitate penetration through cuticles without relying on high droplet momentum
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 microemulsion system improves spray retention and penetration of herbicides and fungicides by creating a compatible amphiphilic environment, increasing the biological effectiveness and stability of agrochemical formulations.
Implementation Method 1
they provide lipophilic and hydrophilic environments in the spray deposits, enhancing leaf penetration and efficacy of herbicides and/or fungicides
Implementation Method 2
The presence of surfactants in the dilute aqueous composition can alter the size distribution of the spray droplets, typically increasing the percentage of spray volume in the form of small droplets and reducing the percentage of spray volume in the form of large droplets
Implementation Method 3
Submicron droplets or microemulsion systems are described in adjuvants for pharmaceutical applications
Data Source
AI summary
Homogenous and stable adjuvants in the form of microemulsions for use in agriculture containing: a) a mixture of surfactants comprising i) one or more anionic derivatives of an alkylpolyglycoside; ii) one or more alkylpolyglycosides; iii) one ore more anionic derivatives of a fatty alcohol; b) one or more methyl esters of fatty acids deriving from the transestehfication of vegetable oils, one or more vegetable oils, or mixture thereof; c) one or more nonionic surfactants; d) water.