Microencapsulated Dinitroaniline Herbicide Suspension Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aqueous suspension concentrates of dinitroaniline herbicides, such as pendimethalin, face issues with settling and caking, leading to instability and unreliability, especially at elevated temperatures, due to the tendency of these herbicides to form large crystals, which affects storage stability and processing.

Innovation Solution

The development of a flowable aqueous concentrate composition containing microencapsulated dinitroaniline herbicides with a polymeric wall material, dispersed in an aqueous phase, along with a glyphosate salt and an anionic surface-active substance, which enhances storage stability and reduces the need for large amounts of inorganic salts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If dinitroaniline herbicides are formulated as aqueous suspension concentrates, then the pesticide can be easily diluted and applied, but the formulation suffers from settling and caking leading to instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of dilution and applicationVSAvoidstorage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The herbicide particles are microencapsulated, dividing the continuous solid phase into discrete microcapsule units that resist aggregation and settling, thereby maintaining suspension stability while preserving ease of application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A composite formulation is created combining microencapsulated herbicide particles with a specific surfactant system and inorganic salt, where each component contributes to different aspects of stability and applicability, resolving the contradiction between storage stability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If microencapsulation is used to improve storage stability, then crystal formation is reduced, but the formulation requires large amounts of inorganic salt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidamount of inorganic salt

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation optimizes the concentration of inorganic salt to a specific range (20-100 g/l) that provides sufficient stability enhancement without requiring excessive amounts, balancing stability improvement with formulation economy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the concentration of dinitroaniline herbicide is increased to improve herbicidal activity, then the effectiveness increases, but the tendency to form large crystals and settle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveherbicidal activityVSAvoidresistance to crystal formation and settling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The herbicide is pre-encapsulated in microcapsules before formulation, preventing crystal growth and settling tendencies even at high concentrations, thereby enabling high herbicidal activity while maintaining suspension stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The microencapsulation shell acts as an intermediary between the herbicide active ingredient and the aqueous medium, preventing direct interaction that leads to crystal formation while allowing controlled release for herbicidal activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 composition achieves improved storage stability at elevated temperatures, maintains acceptable viscosity, and maintains superior herbicidal activity, making it easier to handle and more effective than conventional formulations.

Implementation Method 1

Suspension concentrates are aqueous compositions containing the pesticide as fine particles which are dispersed in the aqueous medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuspension: Suspension

Implementation Method 2

at least one anionic surface-active substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

the active ingredient is present in the form of microcapsule comprising a core material containing the active ingredient and a polymeric wall material surrounding the core material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEncapsulation: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP2378871B1Aqueous flowable concentrate compositions of a microencapsulated dinitroaniline herbicide

Publication Date: 2012.10.31 BASF SE

AI summary

The present invention relates to aqueous flowable concentrate compositions of a microencapsulated dinitroanline herbicide, in particular pendimethalin, which are flowable and have improved storage stability. The compositions contain: i. 50 to 400 g/l of a dinitroaniline herbicide in the form of microcapsules comprising a core material containing the dinitroaniline herbicide, in particular pendimethalin, and a polymeric wall material, the microcapsules being dispersed in an aqueous phase; ii. 100 to 500 g/l of a glyphosate salt which is dissolved in the aqueous phase and iii. at least one anionic surface-active substance.