Polymeric Rheology Modifiers for Organic Liquid Viscosity

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for effective thickening agents for organic liquids, particularly fatty acid esters, to stabilize suspensions and improve handling and application in industries such as agrochemicals, as existing thickeners are either ineffective, difficult to handle, or require heating or solvents.

Innovation Solution

Polymeric rheology modifiers made from co-polymerizing bicyclic (meth)acrylate esters, alkyl (meth)acrylates, and aromatic vinyl monomers, which significantly increase the viscosity of organic liquids without the need for heating or solvents, allowing for improved suspension stability and handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional thickeners (organoclay, silicas, Intelimer 13-6, dextrin palmitate, hydrogenated castor oil derivatives) are used to thicken organic liquids, then the viscosity increases, but they are difficult to handle (too dusty), require heating or a protonic solvent to activate thickening, or work only with one type of oil

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveviscosityVSAvoidhandling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the thickening agent by developing a copolymer with specific monomer ratios (5-50 wt% bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester, 25-70 wt% alkyl (meth)acrylate, 10-40 wt% aromatic vinyl monomer) that enables thickening at room temperature without heating or solvents, while maintaining ease of handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite polymer material combining three different types of monomers (bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester, alkyl (meth)acrylate, and aromatic vinyl monomer) to achieve synergistic effects that provide both thickening capability and ease of handling, overcoming the limitations of single-component thickeners

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If conventional thickeners are used, then the viscosity increases, but they require heating or a protonic solvent to activate thickening

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveviscosityVSAvoidheating requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The copolymer composition is designed to change the activation parameters of the thickening mechanism, allowing it to function at room temperature without heating. The specific combination of monomers creates a polymer that can interact with organic liquids to increase viscosity through molecular entanglement and interaction at ambient conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the heating step from the thickening process by designing a polymer that activates through simple mixing at room temperature, eliminating the energy-intensive heating step required by conventional thickeners like Intelimer 13-6

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If conventional thickeners are used, then the viscosity increases, but they work only with one type of oil

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveviscosityVSAvoidcompatibility with different oils

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The copolymer is designed with multiple functional components that can interact with different types of organic liquids. The bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester provides structural rigidity, the alkyl (meth)acrylate provides flexibility and solubility, and the aromatic vinyl monomer provides pi-stacking interactions, creating a universal thickener that works with various oil types including fatty acid esters, mineral oils, and synthetic esters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 polymeric rheology modifiers effectively thicken organic liquids, achieving viscosities of at least 150 mPas and maintaining stability over time, even at elevated temperatures, thereby enhancing the performance and usability of formulations like agrochemical suspensions.

Implementation Method 1

Polymers have previously been used for modifying the rheology of a fluid by incorporation of the polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity modification through polymer incorporation:

Implementation Method 2

the polymeric rheology modifier is obtainable by co-polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate and at least one of the following monomers: a bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester different from the alkyl (meth)acrylate, and an aromatic vinyl monomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCopolymerization: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11678661B2Thickened organic liquid compositions with polymeric rheology modifiers

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL BV

AI summary

Disclosed are thickened organic liquid compositions comprising an organic liquid and a polymeric rheology modifier wherein the polymeric rheology modifier is obtainable by co-polymerizing at least two of a bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester, an alkyl (meth)acrylate, and an aromatic vinyl monomer. Also disclosed are thickened organic liquid dispersions with suspended solids and methods of stabilizing dispersions using polymeric rheology modifiers.