Polyurethane Thickeners via Single-Stage Catalysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polyurethane thickening processes for aqueous preparations, particularly in cosmetics and emulsion paints, face challenges in maintaining effective thickening properties in the presence of salts and surfactants, while also requiring cost-effective and environmentally friendly production methods without the use of tin catalysts.
Innovation Solution
A single-stage process for preparing polyurethanes with at least three hydrophilic and four hydrophobic sections, using alkali or zinc carboxylates as catalysts to create branched structures, which are tin-free and provide enhanced thickening capabilities in aqueous preparations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tin catalysts (DBTL) are used in polyurethane preparation, then the thickening effect is improved, but environmental friendliness and production cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the catalyst type from tin-based (DBTL) to alternative catalysts, and adjusts the NCO:OH ratio parameter to optimize thickening performance without requiring tin catalysts. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through parameter optimization while eliminating harmful factors associated with tin catalysts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs readily available, low-cost alternative catalysts that can be easily removed or decomposed, replacing expensive and environmentally persistent tin catalysts. This approach maintains effective thickening while reducing both cost and environmental impact
2Reliability
If polyurethanes are prepared in two-stage processes with DBTL catalysis, then the thickening properties are improved, but the process complexity and production time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the two-stage preparation process into a single-stage process by simultaneously reacting polyol, isocyanate, and thickening agents in one reaction vessel with alternative catalysis. This merging maintains thickening properties while significantly reducing process complexity and production time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alternative catalysts that act as effective intermediaries to facilitate the single-stage reaction, enabling the simultaneous formation of polyurethane chains and thickening structures without requiring sequential processing steps
3Manufacturing precision
If polyurethanes are prepared in two-stage processes, then the molecular structure control is improved, but the productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges molecular structure formation and thickening agent incorporation into a single simultaneous reaction process, achieving both precise molecular structure control and high productivity by eliminating the sequential steps required in traditional two-stage processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action throughout the single-stage reaction by simultaneously forming polyurethane chains and incorporating thickening agents, ensuring that all reaction time contributes to product formation without idle periods between stages
4Reliability
If thickeners are required to maintain effectiveness in high salt concentrations, then the thickening capability is improved, but compatibility with other auxiliaries is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the polyurethane molecular structure parameters, including hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance and chain architecture, to maintain thickening capability across varying salt concentrations while preserving compatibility with surfactants and other cosmetic auxiliaries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite polyurethane structures combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments that can adapt to different ionic environments, maintaining thickening effectiveness in high salt conditions while remaining compatible with non-ionic surfactants and other formulation ingredients
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 process results in polyurethanes that maintain effective thickening properties even in high salt and surfactant concentrations, offer improved texture and stability, and are produced in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner without the use of tin catalysts, suitable for a wide range of applications including cosmetics and emulsion paints.
Implementation Method 1
A single-stage process for preparing polyurethanes with at least three hydrophilic and four hydrophobic sections, using alkali or zinc carboxylates as catalysts to create branched structures
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a single-stage process for preparing polyurethanes which comprise at least three hydrophilic sections, at least four hydrophobic sections, optionally allophanate segments and optionally isocyanurate segments, in the presence of alkali(ne earth) metal carboxylates or zinc carboxylates. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the polyurethanes themselves obtainable in this way, to the use thereof as thickeners for aqueous preparations, and to aqueous preparations comprising polyurethanes of this type.