Vinylamine Copolymer Microparticles for Papermaking Additives

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Solution Overview

Problem

The synthesis of polymers with primary amine functionality, such as vinylamine-styrene terpolymers, is challenging due to sluggish polymerization and side reactions, and existing methods result in low molecular weight and inefficient copolymerization of styrene with vinylformamide, requiring lengthy reaction times and purification steps.

Innovation Solution

A radically initiated, surfactant-mediated emulsion copolymerization process is used to polymerize N-vinylformamide with styrene or substituted styrene, followed by hydrolysis to introduce vinylamine functionality, producing micro particulate terpolymers that enhance paper strength properties without the need for further purification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If vinylformamide is copolymerized with styrene using conventional methods, then polymer with primary amine functionality is obtained, but the polymerization is sluggish and results in low molecular weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemolecular weightVSAvoidpolymerization rate

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses N-vinylformamide as an intermediary monomer that can be easily copolymerized with styrene, and then hydrolyzed to introduce primary amine functionality. This intermediary approach avoids the sluggish polymerization of vinylamine while still achieving the desired high molecular weight polymer with primary amine groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs copolymerization of vinylformamide with styrene first to build high molecular weight chains, then subsequently hydrolyzes the formamide groups to primary amines. This preliminary copolymerization action allows achieving high molecular weight before introducing the amine functionality, avoiding the low molecular weight problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If vinylformamide is copolymerized with styrene, then copolymer is formed, but the copolymerization efficiency is low and requires lengthy reaction times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecopolymerization conversionVSAvoidreaction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes polymerization parameters including using specific radical initiators, controlling temperature, and adjusting monomer ratios to enhance copolymerization efficiency. These parameter changes enable higher conversion rates and reduce reaction time compared to conventional methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If conventional copolymerization methods are used, then polymer is produced, but purification steps are required and molecular weight is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemolecular weightVSAvoidpurification requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs water-soluble radical initiators and conducts polymerization in aqueous medium, allowing the polymer to remain in solution and eliminating the need for precipitation and filtration purification steps. This self-service approach maintains high molecular weight while simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If polyvinylamine is used as papermaking additive, then paper strength is improved, but the cost is high due to complex synthesis requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper strengthVSAvoidsynthesis complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive, readily available monomers (vinylformamide and styrene) and simple, well-established radical polymerization techniques to produce a polymer that delivers paper strength enhancement. This approach replaces expensive, complex polyvinylamine synthesis with a more economical process using common chemical building blocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 process achieves high conversion rates and produces cationic, water-dispersible terpolymers that improve dry and wet strength, drainage, and sizing properties of paper, offering a cost-effective solution for papermaking applications with improved performance compared to existing polymers.

Implementation Method 1

A radically initiated, surfactant-mediated emulsion copolymerization process is used to polymerize N-vinylformamide with styrene or substituted styrene

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadical polymerization:

Implementation Method 2

radically initiated, surfactant-mediated emulsion copolymerization process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsion polymerization: Emulsion

Implementation Method 3

followed by hydrolysis to introduce vinylamine functionality

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2776481B1Vinylamine containing copolymer microparticles as additives in papermaking

Publication Date: 2016.04.06 SOLENIS TECHNOLOGIES CAYMAN LP

AI summary

Surfactant mediated, free radical initiated emulsion/dispersion polymerization of n-vinylformamide with styrene or substituted styrene copolymers, and its subsequently hydrolyzed products bearing formamide, amine and styrenic functionality are disclosed. Processes for polymerization, polymer composition, and hydrolysis of such polymers are also disclosed. These polymers bearing cationic functionality can be used in papermaking applications as dry strength additives, wet strength additives, retention aids, drainage aids, sizing agent, sizing promoter and pitch and stickies control agents.