Multicomponent Polymer Solubility and Glass Transition Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a commercial and industrial need for polymers that are soluble in lower molecular weight alcohols, particularly ethanol, and have a glass transition temperature greater than 40°C to enable their use in cosmetic, adhesive, inks, and coatings arts, as existing polymers often lack these properties, resulting in tacky or soft materials unsuitable for various applications.
Innovation Solution
Polymers are synthesized from specific monomers, including 9-32 mole percent of N-vinyl lactam, 24-30 mole percent of (meth)acrylic acid, 32-55 mole percent of hydrophobic (meth)acrylic ester, and 4-13 mole percent of dialkyl maleates or fumarates, which allows for solubility in lower molecular weight alcohols and higher glass transition temperatures, making them suitable for personal care and non-personal care applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polymers are engineered to achieve advanced functionality (UV absorption, adhesion, shine, smoothness, texture, binding, water solubility/insolubility profile), then product performance is improved, but solubility in lower molecular weight alcohols deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer by incorporating specific monomer ratios: 10-30% hydrophilic monomers (acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or their salts) combined with 70-90% hydrophobic monomers (C10-C20 alkyl (meth)acrylates). This parameter optimization enables the polymer to maintain both advanced functionality and solubility in lower molecular weight alcohols like ethanol and isopropanol
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite polymer structures by copolymerizing multiple monomer types with different properties. The hydrophilic acrylic/methacrylic acid units provide water solubility and functional groups for adhesion and UV absorption, while the hydrophobic C10-C20 alkyl (meth)acrylate units provide film strength and alcohol solubility. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between performance and solubility
2Ease of operation
If hydrophilic monomer content is increased to improve water solubility, then water solubility/insolubility profile is improved, but glass transition temperature decreases below 40°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the hydrophilic monomer content parameter to a specific range of 10-30% of total monomers. This parameter control ensures sufficient water solubility while maintaining glass transition temperature above 40°C. The patent explicitly states that excessive hydrophilic monomer content (>30%) should be avoided as it would lower Tg below the desired threshold
3Temperature
If glass transition temperature is increased to above 40°C to reduce tackiness, then non-tacky/non-sticky properties are improved, but solubility in lower molecular weight alcohols may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the monomer composition parameters to achieve the dual goal: using 10-30% hydrophilic monomers (acrylic/methacrylic acid) to raise Tg above 40°C and reduce tackiness, while simultaneously incorporating 70-90% hydrophobic monomers (C10-C20 alkyl (meth)acrylates) to maintain solubility in lower molecular weight alcohols. This balanced parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction
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 resulting polymers are non-tacky and non-sticky, with glass transition temperatures greater than 40°C, facilitating their use in diverse applications where solubility in lower molecular weight alcohols is required, such as in hair, skin, and sun care products, as well as in coatings and adhesives.
Implementation Method 1
Polymers are synthesized from specific monomers, including 9-32 mole percent of N-vinyl lactam, 24-30 mole percent of (meth)acrylic acid, 32-55 mole percent of hydrophobic (meth)acrylic ester, and 4-13 mole percent of dialkyl maleates or fumarates
Data Source
AI summary
Family of non-homopolymers synthesized from N-vinyl lactam, (meth)acrylic acid, hydrophobic (meth)acrylic ester of a straightchain or branched-chain alkyl alcohol and monomer selected from the group consisting of functionalized and unfunctionalized: dialkyl maleates, dialkyl fumarates, and combinations thereof. The non-homopolymers may exhibit solubility in one or more lower molecular weight alcohols and/or a glass transition temperature greater than 80° C.