Mixed Mercaptan Chain Transfer Agents for Emulsion Polymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for chain transfer agents or compositions that exhibit improved performance, allow for a higher SH content to be reached, and/or include mixed mercaptans that can increase the capacity of other mercaptans, such as TDM, by increasing the SH content while enhancing or not undesirably impacting performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of chain transfer agent compositions that include a first component comprising tert-dodecyl mercaptan, tert-nonyl mercaptan, n-dodecyl mercaptan, or a combination thereof, and a second component comprising one or more branched alkyl mercaptans or branched alkyl sulfides, allowing for various weight ratios between the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional mercaptans like TDM are used as chain transfer agents, then polymerization performance is maintained, but production rates are inhibited and SH content cannot be sufficiently increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mercaptan compounds (first component: tert-dodecyl mercaptan, tert-nonyl mercaptan, or n-dodecyl mercaptan; second component: branched alkyl mercaptan or branched alkyl sulfide) to create a mixed chain transfer agent system. This merging of different mercaptan types allows the system to achieve higher SH content while maintaining production rates, as the combination provides both high sulfur content contribution and sustained polymerization activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite chain transfer agent compositions comprising multiple mercaptan compounds with different structural and functional characteristics. The first component provides high SH content, while the second component (branched alkyl mercaptan or sulfide) enhances performance and maintains productivity. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by leveraging the complementary properties of different mercaptan types.
2Reliability
If SH content is increased to improve chain transfer performance, then polymerization control improves, but production rates are inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges different mercaptan components where the first component (tert-dodecyl, tert-nonyl, or n-dodecyl mercaptan) provides high SH content for improved chain transfer performance, while the second component (branched alkyl mercaptan or sulfide) maintains production rates. This combination allows simultaneous achievement of reliable chain transfer control and sustained productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the compositional parameters of the chain transfer agent system by introducing multiple mercaptan types with different molecular structures and reactivity characteristics. This parameter change enables the system to optimize both chain transfer performance (reliability) and production rate, as the mixed composition provides a balance between sulfur content and catalytic activity.
3Quantity of substance
If mixed mercaptans are used to increase capacity of TDM, then SH content increases and performance enhances, but composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chain transfer agent system into two distinct components: the first component (tert-dodecyl, tert-nonyl, or n-dodecyl mercaptan) that provides high SH content, and the second component (branched alkyl mercaptan or sulfide) that enhances performance. This segmentation allows for manageable complexity while achieving increased capacity and SH content, as each component has a specific functional role.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixed mercaptan composition provides multi-functionality: the first component delivers high SH content for chain transfer, while the second component (branched alkyl mercaptan or sulfide) enhances performance and maintains productivity. This universal approach allows a single composition to simultaneously achieve multiple objectives (high SH content, enhanced performance, maintained productivity) without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Chain transfer agent compositions that can include mixed mercaptans. Emulsion polymerization reaction mixtures that can include a chain transfer agent composition, one or more monomers, and one or more polymerization initiators. Methods of polymerization, which can include providing an emulsion polymerization reaction mixture, and isolating a polymer product from the emulsion polymerization reaction mixture.