Water-Based Agrochemical Formulation with Segmented Phases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural formulations face challenges in maintaining multiple active ingredients in stable suspension and emulsifying oil within the same medium, leading to instability and inefficiency in plant protection applications.
Innovation Solution
A formulation comprising a pesticide, a non-ionic surfactant of specific alkoxylate structure, an ionic tristyrylphenyl alkoylate, and an oil, where the pesticide is suspended in the aqueous phase and the oil is essentially free of pesticide, along with optional additional surfactants and auxiliaries, to create a stable suspension and emulsified medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple active ingredients are kept in stable suspension and oil is emulsified in the same medium, then the versatility and effectiveness of the formulation is improved, but the complexity of maintaining stability and preventing crystallization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation is segmented into distinct functional phases: an aqueous phase containing suspended active ingredients and an oil phase containing emulsified oil. Surfactants are used to create stable interfaces between these phases, allowing multiple components to coexist without crystallization or phase separation. This segmentation enables the formulation to accommodate multiple actives while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Surfactants act as intermediary substances that facilitate the coexistence of aqueous and oil phases. The non-ionic surfactant and ionic tristyrylphenyl alkoxylate mediate between the hydrophilic aqueous phase containing pesticides and the hydrophobic oil phase, creating stable emulsions that prevent crystallization and maintain versatility.
2Quantity of substance
If the oil phase contains pesticide, then the pesticide can be transported in the formulation, but the risk of crystallization increases and stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pesticide from the oil phase and places it exclusively in the aqueous phase as a suspension. This separation eliminates the crystallization risk associated with oil-soluble pesticides while maintaining the ability to transport multiple actives through the aqueous suspension system.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation changes the physical state parameter of the pesticide from dissolved (in oil) to suspended (in water). By controlling the particle size and concentration in the aqueous phase, the formulation maintains stability while accommodating multiple actives without crystallization.
3Quantity of substance
If organic solvents are used to dissolve pesticide, then the pesticide can be effectively transported, but the toxicity of the formulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional organic solvent-based dissolution mechanism with an aqueous suspension system. Instead of dissolving pesticides in organic solvents, the formulation uses water as the continuous phase with suspended pesticide particles, thereby reducing toxicity while maintaining transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation changes the solvent type parameter from organic to aqueous. By adjusting the particle size, concentration, and surfactant content in the water-based system, the formulation achieves effective pesticide transport without the harmful effects of organic solvents.
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 formulation effectively keeps multiple active ingredients in stable suspension and emulsifies oil within the same medium, enhancing the stability and efficacy of the formulation, reducing the risk of pesticide crystallization, and lowering toxicity by minimizing organic solvent concentration.
Implementation Method 1
at least one non-ionic surfactant of formula I R1—O-(AO)x—(H) wherein R1 represents straight-chain or branched alkyl having 4 to 20 carbon atoms; AO is ethyleneoxy, propyleneoxy or a mixture of ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy; and x correspond to values from 2 to 30
Implementation Method 2
The formulation effectively keeps multiple active ingredients in stable suspension and emulsifies oil within the same medium
Implementation Method 3
the pesticide is present in the aqueous phase in form of a suspension
Implementation Method 4
keeping more than one active dispersed, or which is capable of keeping a couple of actives in suspension
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a formulation comprising (a) at least one pesticide; and (b) at least one non-ionic surfactant of formula (I): R1—O-(AO)x—(H); wherein R1 represents straight-chain or branched alkyl having 4 to 20 carbon atoms; AO is ethyleneoxy, propyleneoxy or a mixture of ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy; and x correspond to values from 2 to 30; and (c) at least one ionic tristyrylphenyl alkoylate; and (d) at least one oil; and (e) water, wherein the pesticide is present in the aqueous phase in form of a suspension and the oil is essentially free of pesticide.