Polysiloxane Adjuvant for Agrochemical Droplet Spreading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural spray adjuvants, such as crop oil concentrates and methylated seed oil concentrates, have limitations in improving the spreading and adhesion of agrochemicals on plant surfaces, as they rely on surfactant packages that only partially enhance deposition properties.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating low molecular weight polysiloxanes, specifically polydimethylsiloxanes with viscosities below 50 centistokes at 25°C, into agricultural compositions to improve the adhesion and spreading of agrochemicals by reducing surface tension and enhancing emulsion stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional surfactant packages in COCs and MSOs are used, then emulsification is aided, but spreading and adhesion properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polysiloxane (a silicon-based compound with low surface tension) with traditional surfactant packages in COCs and MSOs to create a composite adjuvant system. This composite approach allows the polysiloxane to specifically target spreading and adhesion properties while the traditional surfactants maintain emulsification, thereby resolving the contradiction between emulsification stability and spreading area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface tension parameter of the spray formulation by introducing polysiloxane, which has inherently lower surface tension than traditional surfactants. This parameter change enables the formulation to spread more readily across hydrophobic plant surfaces while maintaining emulsification through the combined surfactant system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional surfactant packages in COCs and MSOs are used, then emulsification is aided, but adhesion properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite adjuvant system combining polysiloxane with traditional surfactants. The polysiloxane component specifically enhances adhesion to plant surfaces through its unique molecular structure and surface properties, while the traditional surfactant package maintains emulsification stability, thus resolving the contradiction between emulsification and adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
Polysiloxane acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the aqueous agrochemical formulation and the hydrophobic plant surface. Its amphiphilic nature allows it to bridge the interface, improving adhesion without compromising the emulsification provided by the traditional surfactant package.
3Area of stationary object
If polysiloxane is added to improve spreading and adhesion, then deposition properties are enhanced, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple adjuvants into a single integrated polysiloxane-based composition that provides both spreading and adhesion enhancement. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed in the formulation, thereby managing complexity while achieving superior deposition properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The polysiloxane composition is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: reducing surface tension for spreading, enhancing adhesion to surfaces, and maintaining compatibility with traditional surfactant packages. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized additives, simplifying the overall formulation.
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 addition of low molecular weight polysiloxanes significantly increases the spreading and adhesion of agrochemical droplets on plant surfaces, exceeding the performance of traditional compositions without polysiloxanes, while maintaining or improving emulsion stability and reducing foam volume.
Implementation Method 1
The surfactants, in addition to oil emulsification, can improve spray deposition properties by reducing the surface tension of the dispersion or emulsion and thereby enhance droplet adhesion on foliar surfaces
Implementation Method 2
Emulsifiable petroleum oils (crop oil concentrates or COCs) and emulsifiable methylated seed oils (MSOs) have long been used as agricultural spray adjuvants to enhance the performance of systemic pesticides and other agricultural chemicals
Data Source
AI summary
A deposition aid is provided, comprising a low molecular weight, low viscosity polysiloxane, combined with a crop oil concentrate or esterified seed oil concentrate.Combinations including the modified silicone can improve spreading and/or adhesion to foliage. Adding about 5% to about 20% of the modified silicone can provide more than a proportional increase in spreading and/or adhesion.