Polyetheramine Booster Composition for Low-Biocide Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The preservation of water-based materials is complicated by regulatory restrictions on biocides, leading to issues such as bacterial growth and the development of tolerance, which traditional preservatives like BIT struggle to address effectively, especially at low usage levels, necessitating a multifunctional booster to enhance preservation and reduce the need for multiple additives.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional booster composition comprising polyetheramine, an inorganic metal compound, a silicate, and a pyrithione salt, which works together to improve the activity of in-can preservatives and provide additional benefits like rheology and pH stabilization, while being free of biocidal agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional preservatives like BIT are used at low usage levels to meet regulatory requirements, then labeling implications are avoided, but preservation efficacy is insufficient and bacterial growth occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by introducing a polyetheramine booster with specific molecular structure (Formula I) and composition ratios (0.1-10% polyetheramine, 0.01-5% additive) to enhance the preservative activity of BIT at low concentrations, transforming the ineffective low-level preservative system into an effective one through parameter optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite preservative system combining polyetheramine (Jeffamine T-403), inorganic metal compounds (zinc oxide, magnesium oxide), silicates (potassium methyl siliconate), and pyrithione salts (zinc pyrithione) with BIT, where each component contributes specific functions that synergistically improve overall preservation efficacy at reduced usage levels
2Adaptability or versatility
If pH is increased to ~11 to limit microorganism growth in biocide-free paints, then biocide-free formulation is achieved, but high pH causes irritation and limits use of paint additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter by incorporating organic amines (2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, triethanolamine) and polyetheramine boosters that buffer and moderate the pH level, reducing it from the problematic ~11 range to a more compatible range that eliminates irritation and allows use of additional paint additives while maintaining biocide-free status
3Reliability
If multiple biocidal ingredients are combined to overcome BIT weaknesses, then preservation coverage is improved, but regulatory restrictions on usage levels of additional biocides increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using polyetheramine (Jeffamine T-403) as a universal booster that simultaneously enhances the activity of multiple different biocidal ingredients (BIT, CMIT/MIT, sodium pyrithione, DCOIT), allowing a single additive to provide broad-spectrum preservation coverage without requiring multiple specialized biocides, thus reducing formulation complexity
4Quantity of substance
If in-can preservatives are used at low levels, then regulatory compliance is achieved, but tolerance development by bacteria occurs leading to spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the effective concentration parameter by using polyetheramine booster to amplify the biocidal activity of low-level preservatives, achieving bacterial kill rates and growth inhibition equivalent to high concentrations while maintaining low actual preservative levels in the formulation, thereby preventing tolerance development
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to a multifunctional booster composition comprising a polyetheramine and at least one additive comprising an inorganic metal compound, a silicate, a pyrithione salt, or an organic amine, wherein R1 is H or C1 to C9 alkyl, each of R2, R3, and R4 is independently H or CH3, and each of x, y, and z is independently 1 to 10. According to the present disclosure, the weight ratio of the polyetheramine to the additive is from about 1:5 to 100:1.