Stable Fungicidal Compositions with Anionic Surfactants
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conazole fungicide compositions become unstable during storage and upon dilution with water, leading to thickening issues that render them unsuitable for use.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an anionic surfactant into the fungicidal composition, which stabilizes the formulation and prevents significant viscosity increase during storage, maintaining pourability and chemical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional fungicide formulations are used, then initial effectiveness is maintained, but stability during storage deteriorates leading to thickening and phase separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the formulation by introducing anionic surfactants (such as alkyl ether sulfates and alkyl phenol polyglycol ether sulfates) at specific concentrations (0.1-10% w/v). This parameter change fundamentally alters the stability characteristics of the conazole fungicide formulation, preventing thickening and phase separation during storage while maintaining pourability and chemical stability.
2Ease of operation
If the formulation is diluted with water for application, then coverage is improved, but stability deteriorates causing precipitation and loss of effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The anionic surfactant acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the conazole fungicide and water during dilution. The surfactant molecules form micellar structures that solubilize the hydrophobic conazole compound, allowing it to remain stable and uniformly distributed in aqueous solutions at various dilutions without precipitation or phase separation.
3Ease of manufacture
If inactive ingredients are added to improve formulation properties, then processability is enhanced, but chemical stability deteriorates due to incompatible interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific anionic surfactants with particular molecular structures (such as sulfate ester groups and polyethylene oxide chains) that provide localized compatibility with conazole compounds. These surfactants create stable microenvironments around the fungicide molecules, allowing other formulation ingredients to be added without causing chemical degradation or instability.
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 anionic surfactant enhances the stability of conazole fungicide compositions, ensuring they remain effective and usable over extended storage periods without phase separation or sedimentation, even at varying temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating an anionic surfactant into the fungicidal composition, which stabilizes the formulation and prevents significant viscosity increase during storage
Implementation Method 2
the anionic surfactant enhances the stability of conazole fungicide compositions, ensuring they remain effective and usable over extended storage periods without phase separation or sedimentation
Data Source
AI summary
A stable agrochemical composition comprising at least one conazole fungicide, especially triticonazole and prothio-conazole; and at least one anionic surfactant is disclosed. Also disclosed is a process of preparing the agrochemical composition and a method of controlling fungi in a plant with the agrochemical composition.