Non-Aqueous Dispersant Composition for Stable Oil-Based Pesticide Suspensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-aqueous dispersants face challenges in stabilizing finely divided pesticides in oil-based media due to poor affinity and compatibility with organic substrates, leading to issues like flocculation, sedimentation, and phase separation, which are exacerbated by the need for emulsifiers in agrochemical formulations.
Innovation Solution
A non-aqueous dispersant (NAD) is developed using a condensate formed by grafting polyhydroxystearic acid (PHSA) with a linker substrate, such as monoethanolamine, onto a styrene-maleic anhydride co-polymer, with optional sulfonic acid functionality, to enhance affinity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional aqueous dispersants are used, then cost is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but dispersion stability deteriorates and particle aggregation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the dispersant from aqueous-based to non-aqueous-based, specifically using carboxylic acid derivatives with non-aqueous solubility. This parameter change enables the dispersant to maintain stability in non-aqueous media while avoiding the aggregation issues that occur with conventional aqueous dispersants in non-aqueous environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite molecular structures by combining hydrophobic aromatic rings with hydrophilic carboxylic acid groups, creating an amphiphilic molecule that can effectively interact with both metal oxide particles and non-aqueous media. This composite structure at the molecular level resolves the contradiction between stability and manufacturability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If non-aqueous dispersants with high dispersion stability are used, then dispersion stability is improved, but cost increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the parameter of solubility to be specifically non-aqueous soluble, the patent achieves high dispersion stability while maintaining ease of manufacture through straightforward synthesis routes from commercially available aromatic compounds and carboxylic acids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses readily available, inexpensive aromatic compounds and carboxylic acids as starting materials, which can be easily synthesized and disposed of, avoiding the need for expensive, complex dispersant molecules while still achieving high dispersion stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If aqueous dispersants are used in non-aqueous media, then cost is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to particle aggregation and reduced dispersion stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solubility parameter of the dispersant from aqueous to non-aqueous, which fundamentally alters its interaction with metal oxide particles in non-aqueous media. This prevents the harmful aggregation that occurs when aqueous dispersants are used in non-aqueous environments, while maintaining cost-effectiveness through simple molecular structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of using simple, inexpensive dispersants (which would normally cause aggregation) into a benefit by carefully selecting non-aqueous soluble carboxylic acid derivatives that happen to provide both low cost and high stability simultaneously.
4Stability of the object's composition
If dispersants with specific non-aqueous solubility are used, then dispersion stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the solubility parameter to be non-aqueous soluble, achieving high dispersion stability through relatively simple molecular structures based on aromatic rings and carboxylic acid groups, avoiding the need for complex multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the dispersant molecule into distinct functional segments: hydrophobic aromatic rings for non-aqueous solubility and hydrophilic carboxylic acid groups for metal oxide interaction. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving high stability without overall molecular complexity.
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 NAD improves dispersion stability, reducing flocculation and viscosity, and maintaining formulation stability, facilitating easier handling and compliance with regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relates to non-aqueous dispersants, more specifically to carboxylic acid derivatives which can be used as dispersants for metal oxide pigments
Implementation Method 2
The dispersant molecules provide steric hindrance between pigment particles, preventing aggregation
Implementation Method 3
The carboxylic acid derivative dispersant provides electrostatic repulsion to prevent particle aggregation
Data Source
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AI summary
A non-aqueous dispersant ("NAD") comprising a condensate formed by the grafting of an adduct of a hydrophobic stabilising entity ("HSE") onto a co-polymer in an effective reaction stoichiometry, wherein the co-polymer comprises an anchoring moiety having an aromatic functionality.