Polyitaconic Acid Zinc Salt Composition for Solubility and Tacticity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The polymerization of vinyl type monomers with pendant carboxylic acid functionality faces challenges in achieving high conversion and molecular weight, particularly in forming polymers with desired syndiotacticity and stability, which are crucial for various consumer applications such as detergents and absorbent materials.

Innovation Solution

A soluble aqueous composition of a zinc salt of polyitaconic acid is developed, with specific adjustments in molecular weight, tacticity, zinc to polymer ratio, concentration, and pH, allowing for improved polymerization efficiency and stability, including partial neutralization and controlled chain transfer reactions to achieve syndiotactic triads greater than 58% and molecular weights between 500-5000.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If complete neutralization of itaconic acid monomer is performed prior to polymerization, then polymerization efficiency is improved, but molecular weight control and syndiotacticity achievement become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymerization efficiencyVSAvoidmolecular weight control and syndiotacticity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the neutralization parameter from complete (2 moles base per mole acid) to partial (1 mole base per mole acid), which resolves the contradiction by enabling both good polymerization efficiency and control over molecular weight and syndiotacticity in the resulting polymer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If high molecular weight polyitaconic acid is formed, then polymer strength is improved, but solubility and rotational freedom decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer strengthVSAvoidsolubility and rotational freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameter to a specific range (500-5000 number average molecular weight) that optimizes both strength and solubility, and introduces zinc salt formation which enhances rotational freedom while maintaining polymer integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If zinc to polymer weight ratio is increased, then interaction and performance are improved, but solubility and stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction and performanceVSAvoidsolubility and stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the zinc to polymer weight ratio to a specific range (0.01-0.15) that achieves the desired interaction and performance while maintaining solubility and compositional stability in the aqueous solution

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 composition provides improved solubility and performance in consumer applications, with enhanced interaction between zinc and polyitaconic acid, offering better rotational freedom and energy state, thus suitable for diverse uses including cleaning and odor control.

Implementation Method 1

enhanced interaction between zinc and polyitaconic acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoordination bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3087109B1Soluble aqueous compositions of selected polyitaconic acid polymers

Publication Date: 2018.08.29 ITACONIX CORPORATION

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AI summary

The present invention relates to soluble aqueous compositions comprising metal salts of selected polyitaconic acid (PIA) resins.