Succinate Ester Coalescing Agent for Low VOC Aqueous Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current low VOC coalescing agents for aqueous coatings often have pungent odors and inadequate properties, such as film smoothness and hydrolysis tolerance, and require higher concentrations to achieve effective film formation.
Innovation Solution
A coalescing agent represented by structure (I), prepared from the reaction between diacid and monoalcohol compounds, offering improved film formation, reduced odor intensity, and lower VOC emissions, even at lower usage rates, with specific embodiments like ethyl 2-hydroxypropyl succinate demonstrating comparable efficacy to commercial agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional coalescing agents (alcohol ester, ether alcohol, ester ketone) are used to achieve film formation, then film formation is effective, but pungent odour and high VOC emissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the coalescing agent by using succinate ester derivatives with specific molecular structures (where n=1-8, R1 and R2 are alkyl groups with 1-4 carbon atoms). This structural modification reduces VOC emissions and eliminates pungent odour while maintaining film formation capability through controlled volatility and polymeric particle adhesion promotion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite coalescing agent formulations by blending different succinate ester derivatives (monoester and diester components) in specific ratios. This composite approach synergistically combines the benefits of reduced odour, low VOC emissions, and effective film formation that individual components cannot achieve alone.
2Manufacturing precision
If concentration of coalescing agent is increased to improve film formation, then film smoothness improves, but VOC emissions and odour intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of the coalescing agent to 0.1-10% by weight in the coating composition. This parameter range achieves optimal film smoothness while minimizing VOC emissions and odour intensity, representing a refined balance between performance and environmental compatibility.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If low concentration of coalescing agent is used to reduce VOC emissions, then VOC emissions decrease, but film formation effectiveness and smoothness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite succinate ester formulations that enhance coalescing efficiency per unit concentration. The synergistic interaction between monoester and diester components allows effective film formation and smoothness at lower concentrations (0.1-10%), thereby reducing VOC emissions without sacrificing film quality.
4Reliability
If conventional coalescing agents are used, then film formation occurs, but tolerance to hydrolysis reaction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical stability parameters of the coalescing agent by selecting succinate ester derivatives with specific molecular structures and hydrophobic characteristics. These structural features confer resistance to hydrolysis reactions while maintaining the ability to promote polymeric particle adhesion and film formation under coating conditions.
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 new coalescing agent achieves film formation with smoothness and tolerance to hydrolysis reactions, while reducing odor intensity and VOC emissions, often requiring lower concentrations than traditional agents, thus addressing the limitations of existing low VOC coalescing agents.
Implementation Method 1
which is a highly volatile organic compound that helps small polymeric particle dispersed as latex in water to be adhered into thin film by reducing minimum film forming temperature (MFFT) of latex
Implementation Method 2
After film had formed, the coalescing agent will move up to the surface and leave from the surface by evaporating
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coalescing agent and a coating composition containing the coalescing agent as represented in structure (I);wherein; n is integer from 1 to 8; R1 and R2 independently represents group selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl, or benzyl groups; and X represents group selected from hydroxy or amine. The coalescing agent according to this invention contains low amount of volatile organic compounds, has no pungent odour, and environmental friendly. Moreover, it provides good efficacy when being used as coating component.