Polymeric Surfactant Emulsions for Organophosphorous Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing organophosphorous compound emulsions, when stabilized with surfactants like ethoxylated linear alcohols or ethoxylated alkyl phenols, have limited shelf life due to large drop sizes exceeding 1 micron, leading to coalescence within a month.
Innovation Solution
A composition and method using polymeric surfactants such as silicone-based or polyoxypropylene-based surfactants, along with organophosphorous compounds, to create stable emulsions with average dispersed phase drop sizes less than 5 microns, maintaining stability for up to 6 months by forming a homogeneous mixture and adding water while stirring to achieve an oil-in-water emulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surfactants (ethoxylated linear alcohols or ethoxylated alkyl phenols) are used to stabilize organophosphorous compound emulsions, then the emulsion can be formed and applied, but the emulsion has limited shelf life with large drop sizes greater than 1 micron and coalesces within about a month
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of surfactant molecular structure from conventional small-molecule surfactants to polymeric surfactants with repeating units. This parameter change results in emulsions with significantly smaller drop sizes (less than 1 micron versus greater than 1 micron) and extended shelf life (stable for months versus coalescing within a month), directly resolving the contradiction between emulsion formation and long-term stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional surfactants are used to form organophosphorous compound emulsions, then the emulsion can be prepared, but the average drop size exceeds 1 micron leading to coalescence
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the surfactant parameter from conventional to polymeric type, the patent achieves superior drop size control (less than 1 micron average size) while maintaining ease of manufacture through straightforward mixing processes. The polymeric structure provides better interfacial coverage and steric stabilization, preventing coalescence.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If polymeric surfactants are used to create stable emulsions with smaller drop sizes, then shelf life is extended to 6 months, but the surfactant concentration requirement increases to at least 1%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polymeric surfactants with repeating units as a composite material structure that provides enhanced stabilization efficiency. While the surfactant concentration is at least 1%, the polymeric nature of the surfactant delivers superior performance in terms of drop size reduction (to less than 1 micron) and shelf life extension (to 6 months), making the increased quantity worthwhile for achieving the desired stability.
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 polymeric surfactants results in stable emulsions with significantly smaller drop sizes, preventing coalescence and maintaining stability over an extended period, enhancing the shelf life and application potential of organophosphorous compound emulsions.
Implementation Method 1
The use of polymeric surfactants results in stable emulsions with significantly smaller drop sizes, preventing coalescence
Data Source
AI summary
An emulsion includes at least one polymeric surfactant, water and at least one organophosphorous compound. The emulsion may include from about 1% to about 40% of the polymeric surfactant and from about 40% to about 80% of the organophosphorous compound. The emulsion may further include at least one salt or additional surfactant. The at least one polymeric surfactant may include silicone-based surfactants, polyoxypropylene-based surfactants, graft copolymers of polysaccharides, and combinations thereof. The at least one polymeric surfactant may account for about 25% to about 100% by weight of the surfactant content in the emulsion and the at least one secondary surfactant, if present, may account for up to about 75% by weight of the surfactant content in the emulsion. The emulsion may have an average dispersed phase drop size of less than about 5 micron, or less than about 1 micron, after 6 months.