Bio-sourced Polycosanol Monomers for HASE Thickeners
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for associative thickeners of the HASE type with terminal hydrophobic groups having at least 24 carbon atoms of bio-sourced origin, as existing solutions mainly rely on fossil-derived materials like stearin, cholesterol, and lanolin, which are not sufficiently developed.
Innovation Solution
Development of new hydrophobic monomers based on polycosanols, such as octocosanol, triacontanol, hexacosanol, and heptacosanol, derived from sugar cane, beeswax, and rice bran, which are used to create water-soluble copolymers with a hydrophobic group of 24 to 34 carbon atoms, providing effective thickening and thixotropic properties in aqueous compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fossil-derived materials like stearin, cholesterol, and lanolin are used as hydrophobic groups in HASE thickeners, then the thickening effect is achieved, but the bio-sourced origin requirement is not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the source parameter of hydrophobic groups from fossil-derived to bio-sourced materials. Specifically, it uses fatty alcohols with 24-34 carbon atoms derived from renewable resources (sugar cane, beeswax, rice bran) to replace traditional fossil-based materials like stearin, cholesterol, and lanolin, while maintaining the required thickening performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs readily available bio-sourced fatty alcohols that can be obtained from common natural sources such as sugar cane, beeswax, and rice bran. These materials are more accessible and sustainable compared to rare fossil-derived materials like cholesterol and lanolin, providing a reliable and renewable source for hydrophobic groups
2Productivity
If the number of carbon atoms in the hydrophobic group is increased to improve thickening efficiency, then viscosity increases, but the complexity of finding suitable bio-sourced materials increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the carbon chain length parameter to 24-34 atoms, which provides sufficient thickening efficiency while remaining practical for bio-sourced materials. This range is derived from common fatty alcohols available from natural sources, balancing performance requirements with material availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fatty alcohols that serve multiple functions: they provide the necessary hydrophobic character for micelle formation, achieve the required thickening efficiency through their carbon chain length, and offer renewable sustainability. Common bio-sourced fatty alcohols like octocosanol, triacontanol, hexacosanol, and heptacosanol all fall within this optimal range
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 use of bio-sourced polycosanol-derived monomers in HASE-type thickeners offers a range of rheological effects across various shear gradients, ensuring stability and improved application properties without compromising pigment compatibility, and provides a sustainable alternative to fossil-based materials.
Implementation Method 1
the hydrophobic groups are likely to assemble in the form of micellar aggregates. These aggregates are linked together by the hydrophilic parts of the polymers: there is then formation of a three-dimensional network which causes the viscosity of the medium to increase
Implementation Method 2
the thickeners thus manufactured can confer very advantageous properties, such as thixotropic effects, on the aqueous formulations into which they are introduced
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to novel associative monomers, ending in a hydrophobic chain made from polycosanols, which are bio-sourced raw materials, and in particular octocosanol. The invention also relates to HASE associative copolymers produced using said monomers, (meth)acrylic acid and an ester of said acids. The invention finally relates to the use of said copolymers as thickening agents for aqueous formulations.