Styrenic Latex Composition for Biocide-Free Microbe Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biocides used in aqueous dispersions of polymer particles for coatings face regulatory scrutiny due to health and environmental concerns, necessitating a safer and more sustainable alternative for microbial growth inhibition.
Innovation Solution
A styrenic copolymer latex composition incorporating a C4-C10-alkyl hydroperoxide at concentrations between 250 ppm to 5000 ppm, combined with a reductant, to inhibit microbial growth without biocides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biocides such as isothiazolinones are used to preserve aqueous dispersions of polymer particles, then microbial growth is inhibited and product degradation is prevented, but health, safety, and environmental concerns arise leading to regulatory scrutiny and potential bans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the naturally occurring oxidative stress and heat damage that would normally harm the polymer particles into a beneficial mechanism. By incorporating hydroperoxides that decompose under heat age conditions to generate oxidative stress, the system uses what would be harmful (oxidation) as a protective mechanism against microbial growth, eliminating the need for traditional biocides.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition provides self-preserving functionality through the inherent decomposition of hydroperoxides under heat age conditions. The system protects itself from microbial contamination through the oxidative stress generated by hydroperoxide decomposition, without requiring external biocides or additional preservation mechanisms.
2Reliability
If very high pH formulations (pH 10 to 12.5) are used to preserve paints against microbial contamination, then microbial growth is inhibited, but safety and health concerns arise making the approach impractical
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the pH parameter to achieve microbial inhibition, the patent changes the oxidative parameter by incorporating hydroperoxides. This allows microbial growth inhibition to be achieved through oxidative stress mechanisms rather than through extreme pH conditions, thereby avoiding the safety and health issues associated with high pH formulations.
3Reliability
If silver or zinc ions are added to preserve paints, then microbial growth is inhibited, but the properties of the paint are adversely affected and regulatory scrutiny is faced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of oxidation on paint properties into a beneficial preservation mechanism. By using hydroperoxides that decompose under heat age conditions to generate controlled oxidative stress, the system protects against microbial growth without the need for metal ions that would adversely affect paint properties.
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 composition effectively prevents mold, bacteria, and yeast growth under heat age conditions, offering a safer and sustainable solution for microbial resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a C4-C10-alkyl hydroperoxide having a concentration in the range of from 250 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the weight of the composition
Implementation Method 2
combined with a reductant, to inhibit microbial growth without biocides
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a composition comprising a) an aqueous dispersion of styrenic copolymer particles having a z-average particle size in the range of from 50 to 500 nm; and b) a C4-C10-alkyl hydroperoxide having a concentration in the range of from 250 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the weight of the composition. The composition of the present invention provides a latex that is resistant to microbial growth even in the absence of a biocide.