N-Vinyl Carboxylic Acid Amide Copolymer Viscosity and Hydrophobic Affinity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing aqueous solutions of N-vinyl carboxylic acid amide copolymers are limited by low viscosity and lack of affinity for hydrophobic materials, which restricts their application in coatings and other fields.
Innovation Solution
A method involving drop polymerization of N-vinyl carboxylic acid amide with specific non-hydrophilic monomers like acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate, along with a polymerization initiator, to create a highly viscous copolymer with enhanced hydrophilicity and affinity for hydrophobic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If copolymerization is performed with hydrophobic monomers to increase affinity for hydrophobic materials, then affinity for hydrophobic materials is improved, but aqueous solution thickening properties deteriorate due to blocked polymerization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polymerization parameters by using redox polymerization initiators and controlling the monomer feed ratio dynamically. This allows copolymerization of N-vinyl carboxylic acid amide with hydrophobic monomers (acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate) to achieve both high viscosity (500-5000 cP) and good affinity for hydrophobic materials, resolving the contradiction between thickening properties and hydrophobic affinity.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional polymerization methods are used, then polymerization proceeds, but the resulting copolymer has low viscosity and insufficient thickening properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs redox polymerization initiators (peroxide-amine systems) and controls polymerization temperature (0-50°C) to achieve high molecular weight copolymers with viscosity of 500-5000 cP. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and high thickening performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic monomer feeding during polymerization to maintain optimal monomer concentration and control polymerization rate. This periodic addition of monomers ensures continuous chain growth and high molecular weight, achieving both ease of manufacture and high viscosity.
3Ease of manufacture
If organic solvents are used as coating liquids, then coating performance is achieved, but environmental considerations require conversion to aqueous solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops aqueous copolymer solutions with optimized molecular weight and composition that provide coating performance equivalent to organic solvents. The copolymers dissolve in water to form stable solutions with controlled viscosity, eliminating organic solvents while maintaining coating functionality and reducing environmental impact.
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 method produces a highly viscous aqueous solution with improved thickening properties and increased affinity for hydrophobic materials, enabling its use in various applications such as coatings, inks, and secondary battery slurries without ionic properties.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid containing at least a non-hydrophilic monomer (B) and a liquid containing at least a polymerization initiator (D) are added dropwise to an aqueous solution of an N-vinyl carboxylic acid amide monomer (A) to effectuate polymerization
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Proposed is a method for producing an aqueous solution, which has a thickening property, of an N-vinyl carboxylic acid amide copolymer. This method for producing an aqueous solution of an N-vinyl carboxylic acid amide copolymer is characterized in that a liquid containing at least a non-hydrophilic monomer (B), which is at least one selected from acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate, and a liquid containing at least a polymerization initiator (D) are added dropwise to an aqueous solution of an N-vinyl carboxylic acid amide monomer (A), and polymerization is performed.