Polyvinyl Alcohol Stabilized Acrylic Polymers Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polyvinyl alcohol stabilization methods for (meth)acrylic ester polymers in aqueous dispersions and water-redispersible powders are not effective, leading to instability and the need for ecologically and health-wise problematic emulsifiers, while specific modified polyvinyl alcohols are complex and expensive to prepare.

Innovation Solution

The use of conventional unmodified polyvinyl alcohols to stabilize (meth)acrylic ester polymers in the form of aqueous dispersions or water-redispersible powders, with specific monomer compositions and polymerization processes to achieve stable, finely divided particles, eliminating the need for emulsifiers and simplifying the preparation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional polyvinyl alcohol is used to stabilize (meth)acrylic ester polymers, then the protective colloid is simple and inexpensive, but the dispersion stability is insufficient and coarse particles form

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity and cost of protective colloidVSAvoiddispersion stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the (meth)acrylic ester polymer composition, specifically incorporating vinyl esters of carboxylic acids with 5-15 carbon atoms (1-30 wt%) together with conventional (meth)acrylic esters. This compositional parameter change enables conventional polyvinyl alcohol to effectively stabilize the dispersion, resolving the contradiction between using simple protective colloids and achieving adequate dispersion stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If emulsifiers are used to stabilize (meth)acrylic ester copolymers, then dispersion stability is improved, but ecological and health safety deteriorates due to irritating or sensitizing action

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispersion stabilityVSAvoidecological and health safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates emulsifiers from the system by demonstrating that conventional polyvinyl alcohol alone can provide sufficient stabilization for (meth)acrylic ester polymers containing vinyl esters. This removes the harmful substances while maintaining dispersion stability, directly resolving the contradiction between stability and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If specific modified polyvinyl alcohols are used to stabilize (meth)acrylic ester polymers, then dispersion stability is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispersion stabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of protective colloid preparation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, complex modified polyvinyl alcohols with conventional, inexpensive polyvinyl alcohol that requires no special synthesis or modification. This substitution achieves the same stabilization function while eliminating the complexity and cost of preparing specialized protective colloids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of operation

If conventional polyvinyl alcohol stabilizes (meth)acrylic ester polymers, then the protective colloid is simple to use, but particle size control deteriorates resulting in coarse particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of using protective colloidVSAvoidparticle size control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the polymer composition parameters by incorporating vinyl esters of carboxylic acids with 5-15 carbon atoms (1-30 wt%) into the (meth)acrylic ester polymer system. This compositional modification enables conventional polyvinyl alcohol to effectively control particle size and prevent coarse particle formation, resolving the contradiction between ease of use and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides stable, finely divided polyvinyl alcohol-stabilized (meth)acrylic ester polymers with improved storage stability and mechanical properties, suitable for construction applications, without the use of emulsifiers, and can be produced using established methods, enhancing economic viability.

Implementation Method 1

Aqueous dispersions or water-redispersible powders of polymers based on ethylenically unsaturated monomers... are typically stabilized with protective colloids, such as polyvinyl alcohol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProtective colloid stabilization: Colloid

Implementation Method 2

Such polymer dispersions are typically prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, for example batchwise (discontinuously) in stirred polymerization reactors or else continuously

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion polymerization:

Implementation Method 3

Dispersion powders can be prepared by spray drying aqueous polymer dispersions with the addition of drying aids, such as polyvinyl alcohol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray drying:

Data Source

PatentUS20230202924A1Polyvinyl-alcohol-stabilized (meth)acrylic acid ester polymers
Publication Date: 2023.06.29 WACKER CHEMIE AG

AI summary

Polyvinyl alcohol-stabilized (meth)acrylic ester polymers, processes for preparing and uses for the same. Where the polyvinyl alcohol-stabilized (meth)acrylic ester polymers have particle sizes Dw of from 100 to 900 nm in the form of aqueous dispersions or water-redispersible powders. Where the (meth)acrylic ester polymers are based on(a) 1% to 30% by weight of one or more vinyl esters of carboxylic acids having 5 to 15 carbon atoms,(b) 20% to 80% by weight of one or more (meth)acrylic esters, wherein the homopolymer of which has a glass transition temperature Tg of ≤20° C.,(c) 10% to 70% by weight of one or more (meth)acrylic esters, wherein the homopolymer of which has a glass transition temperature Tg of ≥50° C., and(d) optionally one or more further ethylenically unsaturated monomers.The percentages by weight are based on the total weight of the (meth)acrylic ester polymers.