Tri-substituted Aromatic Monomers for pH-Responsive Thickening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rheological additives for aqueous systems, such as paints and coatings, require high concentrations to achieve desired thickening properties, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased material costs, and are often sensitive to water, limiting their application range.
Innovation Solution
Development of pH-responsive HASE copolymers composed of specific unsaturated monomers that form a network structure, allowing for reduced thickener usage while maintaining effective rheological profiles and improved water sensitivity, by swelling and thickening in response to pH changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high concentrations of rheological additives are used to achieve desired thickening properties, then thickening efficiency is improved, but material costs increase and formulation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the monomers used in HASE copolymers, specifically incorporating tri-substituted aromatic groups with specific R1, R2, and R3 substitutions. This structural modification enables the polymer to achieve superior thickening efficiency at lower concentrations, directly resolving the contradiction between thickening efficiency and material cost by improving the intrinsic performance per unit mass of the additive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite monomer structures combining aromatic rings with specific substituent groups (R1, R2, R3 variations) to form HASE copolymers with enhanced molecular architecture. This composite approach produces a material with optimized hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance and intermolecular interaction capabilities, achieving high thickening efficiency at reduced concentrations and thus lowering material costs.
2Reliability
If conventional rheological additives are used in aqueous systems, then thickening properties are achieved, but water sensitivity limits application range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating monomers with distinct functional regions: aromatic cores providing structural stability and hydrophobic interactions for reliable thickening, and specific R1, R2, R3 substituent groups providing water resistance and environmental stability. This local differentiation enables the polymer to maintain consistent thickening properties across diverse aqueous applications while resisting water sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tri-substituted aromatic monomer structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the aromatic core provides rigid structural support for network formation, while the variable R groups contribute to hydrophobic aggregation, water resistance, and pH-responsive behavior. This multi-functionality expands the application range of HASE copolymers to include diverse aqueous systems such as paints, coatings, and personal care products while maintaining reliable thickening properties.
3Ease of operation
If HASE copolymers form three-dimensional networks through hydrophobic aggregation, then rheological control is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs HASE copolymers with inherent self-organizing capabilities through the tri-substituted aromatic monomer structure. The specific R1, R2, R3 substitutions create built-in hydrophobic drivers that automatically guide polymer chains to form three-dimensional networks via hydrophobic aggregation at the application pH. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external controls or additional formulation components, simplifying the overall formulation while achieving superior rheological control.
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 pH-responsive HASE copolymers provide enhanced thickening efficiency with lower concentrations, improving water sensitivity and application flexibility in aqueous coatings and personal care products, enabling better formulation and performance in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
Under the influence of a base, organic or inorganic, the HASE particles gradually swell and expand to form a three-dimensional network by intermolecular hydrophobic aggregation between HASE copolymer chains
Implementation Method 2
the HASE particles gradually swell and expand to form a three-dimensional network
Implementation Method 3
These polymers are substantially insoluble in water at a low pH. However, at higher pH they become swellable or soluble in water and thus exhibit thickening behavior
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are novel tri-substituted aromatic-alkoxylated monomers, polymers made with the novel tri-substituted aromatic-alkoxylated monomers, pH responsive polymers made with the novel tri-substituted aromatic-alkoxylated monomers, and related methods. Also disclosed is an aqueous coating composition including at least one latex polymer derived from at least one monomer copolymerized or blended with alkali swellable acrylate copolymer. Also provided is a method of preparing an aqueous coating composition such as a latex paint including the above components.