Network Copolymer Crosslinked Compositions for Personal Care Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network copolymer compositions that can exhibit a range of physical properties, such as hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, are needed for various applications, but existing methods struggle to produce polymers with desired water and oil swellability and stability, particularly in personal care and cosmetic products.

Innovation Solution

A network composition is created through the reaction of anionic polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomers, additional copolymerizable monomers like acrylic acid/acrylate, and a cross-linking agent, which allows for varying degrees of swelling and stability by forming a cross-linked structure capable of hydrogen bonding with solvents, enabling the polymer to swell significantly and maintain stability over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If network copolymer compositions are made by simultaneously polymerizing and cross-linking ethylenically unsaturated monomers, then the polymers can exhibit desired physical properties for personal care applications, but the compositions face challenges in achieving optimal water and oil swellability and stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical properties rangeVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating regions within the polymer network with different swelling characteristics. The crosslinked network structure allows certain regions to be more hydrophilic while others remain hydrophobic, enabling the material to exhibit both water and oil swellability simultaneously with enhanced stability in personal care formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by combining ethylenically unsaturated monomers with specific organic substituents that provide both hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics. This composite approach within the polymer network enables the material to achieve desired physical properties including controlled swellability and improved stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the polymer network is designed for high water or oil swellability, then the sensory feel in personal care products is improved, but the stability and resistance to syneresis may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensory feelVSAvoidresistance to syneresis
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the composition of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, the degree of crosslinking, and the ratio of hydrophilic to hydrophobic segments. These parameter adjustments enable optimization of both sensory feel through controlled swellability and resistance to syneresis through appropriate network density, resolving the contradiction between these two properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 network polymer composition exhibits high stability, resistance to syneresis, and can be tailored for water or oil swellability, providing improved sensory feel and longevity in personal care and cosmetic applications.

Implementation Method 1

These compositions have been made by simultaneously polymerizing and cross-linking, in the presence of a free radical polymerization catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFree radical polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

a cross-linking agent (III), capable of copolymerizing with (I) and (II)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCopolymerization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

forming a cross-linked structure capable of hydrogen bonding with solvents, enabling the polymer to swell significantly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS8669337B2Network copolymer crosslinked compositions and methods of making the same
Publication Date: 2014.03.11 MOMENTIVE PERFORMANCE MATERIALS INC

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a network composition having the reaction product of: (i) at least one anionic polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer (I) selected from the group consisting of[CH2═C(R3)C(O)OXa(C2H4O)b(C3H6O)c(C4H8O)d]pP(O)(OY)q(OZ)r whereR3═H or alkyl of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms;X=alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl diradical connecting group of 0 to about 9 carbon atoms; a is 0 to about 100; b is 0 to about 100; c is 0 to about 100; d is 0 to about 100; q is 0 to about 2; r is 0 to about 2; p is 1 to about 3 subject to the limitation that p+q+r=3; and Y and Z is H, or metal ion; andCH2═C(R3)C(O)OXa′(C2H4O)b′(C3H6O)c′(C4H8O)d′—SO3—Y)where R3═H or alkyl of from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms;X=alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl diradical connecting group of 0 to about 9 carbon atoms;a′ is 0 to about 100; b′ is 0 to about 100; c′ is 0 to about 100; d′ is 0 to about 100; Y is H, or metal ion; and(ii) one or more additional monomers (II) selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid/acrylate, methacrylic acid/methacrylate, acrylamides, vinyl acetate and styrene, which are copolymerizable with (I); and(iii) a cross-linking agent (III), capable of copolymerizing with (I) and (II).