Wet and Dry Surface Adhesives Using Ionic Surfactants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wet-stick pressure-sensitive adhesives based on (meth)acrylate copolymers face challenges with low tack and poor adhesion to both wet and dry surfaces, and stability issues due to the use of non-reactive, non-ionic plasticizers, which can migrate and dilute adhesive polymer entanglements.
Innovation Solution
The development of novel pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions comprising (meth)acrylate ester copolymers with a high proportion of non-reactive ionic surfactants and specific weight ratios of (meth)acrylate ester monomers to hydrophilic comonomers, which provide stable adhesion and good tack to both wet and dry surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-reactive non-ionic plasticizers are used to improve adhesion to wet surfaces, then wet-stick performance is enhanced, but the plasticizers can migrate and dilute adhesive polymer entanglements, reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reactive ionic surfactants as intermediary agents that facilitate adhesion to wet surfaces through electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding, while avoiding the migration issues of non-ionic plasticizers. The surfactants remain anchored in the polymer matrix through ionic bonding, preventing dilution of polymer entanglements while still enabling wet-stick performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the adhesive system by incorporating ionic surfactants with specific HLB values and ionic charges. This parameter change transforms the adhesive from using non-ionic plasticizers to ionic surfactants, which provide similar wet-stick functionality without the migration problem, thereby improving both reliability and stability.
2Strength
If hydrophilic acidic comonomers are added to enhance internal strength, then cohesive strength is improved, but tack is diminished and cross-linking occurs on metal cation surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reactive ionic surfactants as intermediary agents that mediate the interaction between the hydrophilic copolymer and wet surfaces. The surfactants provide the necessary adhesion to wet surfaces without requiring high levels of hydrophilic acidic comonomers, thereby maintaining tack while achieving wet-stick performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by optimizing the ratio of hydrophilic acidic comonomers to (meth)acrylate monomers and incorporating ionic surfactants. This parameter optimization allows maintaining sufficient cohesive strength while preserving tack, and the ionic surfactants prevent cross-linking on metal cation surfaces by providing alternative adhesion mechanisms.
3Reliability
If high levels of hydrophilic comonomers are used to improve wet-stick properties, then adhesion to wet surfaces is enhanced, but the adhesive loses tack and becomes highly hydrophilic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reactive ionic surfactants as intermediary agents that enable adhesion to wet surfaces through electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. This intermediary mechanism allows achieving wet-stick performance without requiring excessively high levels of hydrophilic comonomers, thereby preserving tack while improving wet-surface adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters by controlling the ratio of hydrophilic comonomers to (meth)acrylate monomers and incorporating ionic surfactants at specific concentrations. This parameter optimization achieves the desired balance between wet-stick adhesion and tack, preventing the adhesive from becoming overly hydrophilic while maintaining operational 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
These adhesive compositions exhibit quick stick, high tack, and strong adhesion to both wet and dry surfaces, with improved stability and performance compared to previous systems, maintaining adhesive integrity under various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
non-reactive, ionic surfactant within the polymer matrix
Implementation Method 2
strong adhesion to both wet and dry surfaces
Implementation Method 3
hydrophilic comonomer... enhance the internal or cohesive strength
Implementation Method 4
pressure-sensitive adhesives... good tack and strong adhesion
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure sensitive adhesive comprising the polymerization product of a reaction mixture comprising: (a1) one or more (meth)acrylate ester monomers; (a2) one or more hydrophilic monomers; and (b) non-reactive, ionic surfactant. Also, articles comprising such adhesives and methods for making such adhesives and such articles.