Polymeric Surfactant for Stable Pesticidal Suspension
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current agrochemical compositions face challenges in achieving stable and efficient dispersion and suspension of pesticidal substances in water, particularly in preventing flocculation and ensuring bio-availability, which is not adequately addressed by existing surfactants.
Innovation Solution
A polymeric surfactant based on copolymers of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and acrylic or methacrylic esters of C8-C18 alcohols, formed through radical polymerization in hydroalcoholic mixtures, is used as a dispersing agent and stabilizer, creating a stable and homogeneous aqueous composition that prevents flocculation and enhances bio-availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional surfactants are used to disperse and suspend pesticidal substances in water, then the formation of mixtures is assisted, but stable suspension and prevention of flocculation are not adequately achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant by using copolymers with specific monomer ratios (5-50% hydrophobic monomer content) and specific molecular weights (10,000-1,000,000 g/mol), which fundamentally alters the suspension stability and flocculation resistance compared to conventional surfactants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite polymeric surfactants formed by copolymerization of hydrophilic monomers (acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, AMPS) with hydrophobic monomers (C8-C18 esters), creating a composite material that simultaneously provides hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance for superior dispersion and anti-flocculation properties
2Stability of the object's composition
If polymeric surfactants with hydrophilic monomers are used, then dispersion is improved, but bio-availability of pesticidal substances is not adequately enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating surfactant molecules with distinct hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, where the hydrophobic portions interact with pesticidal substances to enhance their solubility and bio-availability, while the hydrophilic portions maintain dispersion stability in aqueous environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the hydrophobic monomer content (5-50% range) and molecular weight parameters to achieve the right balance between dispersion stability and bio-availability enhancement, allowing pesticidal substances to remain dispersed while maintaining their biological activity
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 surfactant effectively promotes the formation of stable aqueous systems, prevents flocculation, and improves the bio-availability of pesticidal substances, making it suitable for concentrated suspensions and emulsions, and allows for easy formulation and application as a concentrated suspension or emulsion.
Implementation Method 1
surfactants are normally employed; beside assisting the formation of mixtures of water and water insoluble materials, surfactants reduce the interfacial tension between water and the treated substrate
Implementation Method 2
formed through radical polymerization in hydroalcoholic mixtures
Data Source
AI summary
Aqueous composition containing from 30 to 60 % by weight of a polymer having average numeral molecular weight comprised between 1,000 and 10,000 dalton and obtained by polymerising: a) from 60 to 90% molar of acrylic or methacrylic acid and/or 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid; b) from 10 to 40 % molar of an acrylic or methacrylic acid ester of C8-C18 alcohols are useful as dispersing agent and stabiliser in pesticidal agrochemical formulations.