# Patent

## Title
Associative water-soluble cellulose ethers

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a water-soluble associative cellulose ether having a DP viscosity from 250 to 20,000 mPa·s, measured at a concentration of 1% by weight, and a molecular substitution, MS, from 0.0001 to 0.005 of a hydrophobic substituent containing an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon group of 8-24 carbon atoms. The cellulose ether has a good thickening effect and advantageous application properties at low contents and can be used in an aqueous decorative paint composition, an aqueous paper coating composition, an aqueous organic filler composition, an aqueous cement slurry, an aqueous detergent composition or an aqueous personal care formulation.

## Background
This case was filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty on Dec. 15, 2004 and claims priority of Swedish priority application serial No. 0303352-9, filed on Dec. 15, 2003.
The present invention relates to an associative water-soluble cellulose ether having a high average degree of polymerization (DP) and a low substitution of hydrophobic substituents containing a hydrocarbon group of 8-24 carbon atoms. At low temperatures, the cellulose ether has a good thickening effect and advantageous application properties, especially in aqueous dispersions, such as aqueous compositions containing water-insoluble binders.
Today water-soluble cellulose ethers, for instance cellulose ethers having a low DP, are frequently used as a thickening and rheology agent in aqueous dispersions. Examples of such dispersions are decorative paint compositions, paper coating compositions, joint fillers, and cement compositions. However, the cellulose ethers with a low DP have to be added in a high amount in order to impart good rheology properties. Since the cellulose ethers are water-soluble, there is a general desire for example in decorative paint compositions to use as little as possible of the cellulose ethers to minimize the water sensibility of the dispersions when dried.
A reduction of the amount of cellulose ethers needed can be obtained by using cellulose ethers having a high DP. However, even if cellulose ethers with a high DP have a better thickening effect and water retention, other rheology properties such as hiding power and spatter are not satisfactory. A method of reducing spatter is to use a large amount of a cellulose ether having a low DP.
By using associative cellulose ethers, i.e. cellulose ethers with a substituent containing a large hydrocarbon group having more than about 10 carbon atoms and with a very low DP, the spatter can be essentially reduced. The associative cellulose ethers of low DP also positively affect the hiding power depending on a high ICI viscosity and good levelling, but this demands a high amount of addition.
In joint fillers, cellulose ethers of high DP can be used in small amounts as a thickening and water retention agent. Unfortunately, the water retention agent also results in increased sagging when the joint filler is applied on a vertical surface. This effect is often counteracted by the addition of different clays.
It has now been found that when added in small quantities, associative water-soluble cellulose ethers having a high DP and a low degree of substitution of hydrophobic substituents containing hydrocarbon groups of 8-24 carbon atoms impart unique properties to aqueous dispersions, such as a high water retention and thickening effect, low spatter and sagging and/or a good hiding power and levelling effect.
The associative water-soluble cellulose ethers according to the invention have a DP viscosity, expressed in terms of viscosity and measured at a concentration of 1% by weight at 20° C., from 250 to 20,000 mPa·s, preferably from 1,000 to 15,000 mPa·s, and most preferably from 2,000 to 15,000 mPa·s, and an average molecular substitution (MS) from 0.0001 to 0.005, preferably from 0.0002 to 0.0035, and most preferably from 0.0003 to 0.0028, of a hydrophobic substituent (MS hydrofobe) containing an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon group of 8-24 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 20 carbon atoms. The unsubstituted hydrocarbon group can be an aliphatic group or an aromatic group, such as nonylphenyl or octylphenyl. The substituted hydrocarbon group can contain a hydroxyl group or a fluoride group.
The DP viscosity can be measured using a conventional rheometer, such as a Rheolica Controll Stress rheometer, using a 40 mm, 1° cone and plate measurement system, at a shear stress of 0.5 Pa and a temperature of 20° C. The DP viscosity, as used throughout this document, is determined by dissolving the polymer in a solvent system consisting of 20% by weight of di(ethylene glycol)butyl ether and 80% by weight of water at 20° C. The viscosities obtained were then divided by a factor 2.7, in order to compensate for the higher viscosities obtained in an aqueous solution containing 20% by weight of poly(ethylene glycol)butyl ether in comparison with the viscosities obtained in pure water. The molecular substitution, MS, of the hydrophobic groups was determined by the method described by Landoll, L. M., J Polym. Sci., Part A: Polymer Chem., 1982, Vol. 20, pages 433, 443-455.
The associative water-soluble cellulose ether according to the invention preferably has an average degree of polymerization (DP) of at least 800, preferably at least 850, and most preferably at least 900, and generally at most 8,000, preferably at most 7,500, and most preferably at most 7,000. The DP can be derived from the intrinsic viscosity of the cellulose ether, as is known in the art.
According to the invention, the cellulose ethers of the invention are nonionic or ionic and suitably have a hydrophobic substituent of the formula




wherein A is an alkyleneoxy group with 2-3 carbon atoms, x, z, and m are a number 0 or 1, n is a number from 0-7, with the proviso that when x and z are both 0, then n and m are both 0, and R represents a hydrocarbon group of 6 to 22, preferably from 8-18, carbon atoms. When x is 1, z, n, and m suitably are 0, and when z is 1, x suitably is 0 and m is 1. The groups RCH2CH2 and RCH(OH)CH2 represent the unsubstituted hydrocarbon group and the substituted hydrocarbon group containing 8-24 carbon atoms mentioned above.

The hydrocarbon group RCH2CH2 can be a straight aliphatic group, such as n-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-octadecyl, n-eicosyl, and n-docosyl, the corresponding unsaturated aliphatic compounds, and branched aliphatic groups containing 8-24 carbon atoms and at least one methyl or ethyl branch. The substituted hydrocarbon group RCH(OH)CH2 can be derived from α-epoxides with 10-24 carbon atoms obtained by epoxidation of α-unsaturated aliphatic compounds with 10-24 carbon atoms.
Examples of suitable hydrophobic substituents are




wherein A, R, and n have the meanings mentioned in the explanation of formula I above.

Besides the hydrophobic substituents, the cellulose ether according to the invention contains one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, methyl, ethyl, carboxymethyl, and a cationic substituent having a primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary ammonium group. If the cellulose ether is a nonionic cellulose ether, the cellulose ether has a MS hydroxyethyl from 0.2 to 4.5. Suitably the nonionic cellulose ether has a cloud point temperature from 50 to 90° C., preferably from 55 to 80° C. Such a nonionic cellulose ether normally contains methyl and/or ethyl substituents in addition to the hydroxyethyl and the hydrophobic substituents. A well-adapted cloud point temperature may have a positive influence on the rheology properties and will facilitate the cleaning and drying of the cellulose ether.
The cellulose ethers of the invention can also be anionic and have an average degree of substitution of carboxymethyl groups (DS carboxymethyl) from 0.3 to 1.4, preferably from 0.6 to 1.0. The DS carboxymethyl is determined by using a 300 mHz Bruker NMR spectrometer as specified by F Cheng et al. in I. Applied Pol. Sci., Vol 61, 1831-1838 (1996). In addition to the carboxymethyl substituents, the anionic cellulose ether can also be substituted with hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, methyl and/or ethyl. The cationic cellulose ethers normally contain a substituent containing an ammonium ion, which can be primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary. The MS ammonium typically is 0.01-1.0. The quaternary substituents are normally preferred. The amounts of N+ in cationic cellulose ethers are determined by Kjeldahl analysis. Preferably, the cationic cellulose ethers contain hydroxyethyl substituents but also substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl, methyl, and ethyl can be present.
The cellulose ethers of the present invention can be prepared by reaction steps known per se. Thus, a water-soluble cellulose ether having a DP viscosity from about 250 to 20,000 mPa·s can be further reacted under alkaline conditions with a reactant of the formula




A, z, n, and m have the meanings mentioned above, in a suitable reaction medium. After the reaction the reaction medium is removed and the cellulose ether obtained may be washed with water and/or organic solvents, such as alcohols, to remove by-products formed during the reaction.

Because they have unique rheological properties and a high thickening ability at a low amount, the cellulose ethers of the present invention can be advantageously used in many formulations within several application fields.
The formulations may have the form of solutions, emulsions, dispersions or suspensions. Typical application areas are aqueous decorative paint compositions, such as latex paints; aqueous organic filler compositions; aqueous personal care formulations, such as shampoos, aqueous conditioners, and cosmetics; aqueous detergent compositions, such as hard surface cleaners and compositions for laundry; aqueous cement slurries, and aqueous paper coating compositions, such as coating slips.
In aqueous paper coating compositions, the cellulose ethers can be nonionic or anionic or a combination thereof. Suitable compositions are for example aqueous coating slips containing a latex and calcium carbonate and a cellulose ether of the invention as a thickening agent.
The cationic cellulose ethers can advantageously be used in aqueous personal care products, since these ethers have excellent thickening and antistatic properties, as well as an ability to adhere to skin and hair.
The cellulose ethers are also well suited for use in water borne flat, semi-flat, semi-gloss, and gloss paint compositions, not only as thickeners but also as stabilizers. The amounts of cellulose ethers added vary depending on both the ingredients of the paint compositions and the substitution and the viscosity of the cellulose ethers, but normally the addition is 0.1 to 1.2% by weight of the paint compositions. The nonionic and anionic cellulose ethers may well be used in paint formulations containing emulsion binders such as alkyd resins and latex binders, such as polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of vinyl acetate and acrylate, copolymers of vinyl acetate and ethylene, copolymers of vinyl acetate, ethylene, and vinyl chloride, and copolymers of styrene and acrylate. The latex binders are often stabilized with anionic surfactants.


The present invention is further illustrated by the following Examples.
EXAMPLE 1
One mole of an ethylene oxide adduct of the formula R1O(C2H4O)2H, wherein R1 is a blend of dodecyl and tetradecyl, and one mole of epichlorohydrin were reacted in the presence of tin tetrachloride at 70° C. After the reaction a 30% by weight solution of sodium hydroxide in water was added to the reaction mixture at 80° C. and a glycidylether of the formula




wherein R1 has the meaning mentioned above, was obtained and separated from the water phase.

A powder of dissolved wood pulp expected to give a cellulose ether of DP viscosity of about 10,000 mPa·s was added to the reactor in an amount of 100 parts. The air in the reactor was evacuated and replaced by nitrogen, sodium hydroxide in an amount of 70 parts by weight as a 50% by weight water solution, ethyl chloride (150 parts), ethylene oxide (84 parts), and glycidyl ether (2.2 parts).
The reactor temperature was increased to 55° C. and the reactor held at this temperature for 50 minutes, after which the reactor temperature was increased to 105° C. and held there for 50 minutes. The cellulose ether obtained was washed with boiling water and neutralized with acetic acid. The cellulose ether had a MS hydroxyethyl of 2.1, a DS ethyl of 0.9, a MS hydrophobe of 0.0025, and a cloud point temperature of 59° C. The cloud point temperature, Tcp, at which the polymer solutions (at a concentration of 1 wt %) phase separates, was determined by visual detection. The solutions were kept in spectrophotometer cuvettes which were immersed in a thermostatted water bath. The temperature was increased in steps of 2° C. After each change of the temperature the samples were left to equilibrate for 20 minutes before observation. Tcp is defined as the temperature at which the 1 wt % cellulose ether solution first becomes hazy.
The substitution of ethyl and hydroxyethyl was determined by cleaving the ethoxy and hydroxyethoxy groups with hydrobromic acid in acetic acid, the ethyl and hydroxyethyl groups forming ethyl bromide and 1,2-dibromoethane. The amounts of these bromides were then determined by gas chromatography. See also Hodges, K. L., Analytical Chemistry, Vol 51 (1979), p 2172 and Stead Hindley, J Chromatog. (1969), pp 470-475.
EXAMPLE 2
Example 1 was repeated, but a dissolving wood pulp expected to give a cellulose ether of a DP viscosity of about 6,000 mPa·s was used. The cellulose ether had a MS hydroxyethyl of 2.1, a DS ethyl of 0.8, a MS hydrophobe of 0.0026, and a cloud point temperature of 61° C.
EXAMPLE 3
Example 2 was repeated, but the amount of glycidyl ether was 2.0 parts by weight. The cellulose ether had a MS hydroxyethyl of 2.1, a DS ethyl of 0.8, a MS hydrophobe of 0.0018, and a cloud point temperature of 64° C.
EXAMPLE 4
Example 1 was repeated, but a dissolving wood pulp expected to give a cellulose ether of a DP viscosity of about 15,000 mPa·s was used and the alkyl groups in the glycidyl ether were replaced by a blend of hexadecyl and octadecyl. This glycidyl ether was added in 0.3 parts by weight. The cellulose ether had a MS hydroxyethyl of 2.1, a DS ethyl of 0.9, a MS hydrophobe of 0.0004, and a cloud point temperature of 65° C.
EXAMPLE 5
Example 4 was repeated, but the amount of glycidyl ether was 0.6 parts by weight. The cellulose ether had a MS hydroxyethyl of 2.1, a DS ethyl of 0.8, a MS hydrophobe of 0.0007, and a cloud point temperature of 65° C.
EXAMPLE 6
Example 4 was repeated, but the amount of glycidyl ether was 1.2 parts by weight. The cellulose ether had a MS hydroxyethyl of 2.1, a DS ethyl of 0,8, a MS hydrophobe of 0.0012, and a cloud point temperature of 65° C.
EXAMPLE 7
A solution of 81 g of sodium hydroxide in 20 g of water was added with stirring to a mixture of 150 g of linter cellulose and 40 g of water under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20° C., followed by the addition of a solution of 103.9 g of chloroacetic acid in 20 g of water, 60 g of n-butyl glycidyl ether, and 16 g of a glycidyl ether of the formula




The mixture obtained was heated to 85° C. and was held at this temperature for 26 hours and then cooled and neutralized with acetic acid. The crude cellulose ether obtained was washed three times each with an aqueous solution of 65% by weight of ethanol, an aqueous solution with 80% by weight of ethanol, and a solution containing 80% by weight of ethanol and 20% by weight acetone and then dried. The cellulose ether had a DS carboxymethyl of 0.9, a MS n-butyl glycidyl of 0.2, and a MS hydrophobe of 0.004. The substitution of the butyl glycidyl ether group was determined by using a NMR spectrometer in a manner similar to the determination of the carboxymethyl group.
EXAMPLE 8
The cellulose ethers prepared in Examples 1-7 as well as some cellulose ethers for comparison were tested with regard to the viscosity in water and the DP viscosity. The concentration of the cellulose ethers was 1% by weight. The cellulose ethers used in the comparisons are shown in Table 1 below. The viscosity measurements were performed in a Rheolica Controll Stress rheometer, equipped with a 40 mm, 1° cone and plate measurement system, at 0.5 Pa and 20° C. The viscosities obtained are shown in Table 2 below.







TABLE 1







Cellulose ethers used in comparison tests
















Hydro-



Cellulose
MS
DS
MS
carbon
Flocculation


ethers
hydroxyethyl
ethyl
hydrophobe
group
temp, ° C.





A
2.2
0.9
—
—
68


B
2.5
0.8
—
—
69


C
2.2
0.9
—
—
68


D
2.0
0.9
—
—
65


E
4.0
—
0.013
C16C18
—


F
2.1
0.8
0.010
C12C14
47
















TABLE 2







Viscosities and DP viscosities of the cellulose ethers in Examples


1-6 and the comparison cellulose ethers A-F











Cellulose
MS
Hydrocarbon
Viscosity in
DP viscosity


ether
hydrophobe
group
water mPa · s
mPa · s














A
—
—
17,600
14,900


B
—
—
11,200
9,700


C
—
—
1,120
1,050


D
—
—
140
130


E
0.013
C16-18
19,200
100


F
0.010
C12-14
99,000
1,450


Ex 1
0.0025
C12-14
46,200
8,500


Ex 2
0.0026
C12-14
10,300
4,770


Ex 3
0.0018
C12-14
9,800
5,700


Ex 4
0.0004
C16-18
13,900
10,400


Ex 5
0.0007
C16-18
17,000
11,700


Ex 6
0.0012
C16-18
45,500
13,864


Ex 7
0.004
C14
4,330
1,010









The results show that even a low MS of the hydrophobe modifying group, for example 0.0004, gives an essential contribution to the viscosity.
EXAMPLES 9 AND 10
In these examples different cellulose ethers were tested as thickening agents in two paint formulations shown in Table 3 below. The amounts of the cellulose ethers were adapted in such a manner that the paint formulations obtained a Stormer viscosity of 105 KU.









TABLE 3






Formulation 1
Formulation 2


Components
% by weight
% by weight

















Latex




Styrene-acrylate (Acronal
14.0
—


290 D)




Vinylacetate-ethene-vinyl-
—
6.0


chloride (Mowilith DM 122)




Water
38.7-x
45.9-x


Cellulose ether tested
x
x


Defoamer
0.2
0.4


Bactericide
0.1
0.1


Dispersing agent
0.4
0.5


Propylene glycol
1.5
—


Titanium dioxide
6.0
3.0


Calcium carbonate
37.5
34.0


Microtalc
1.3
10.0









The paint formulations were tested with regard to their ICI viscosities, levelling, and spatter. The effects on levelling and spatter were visually determined by a test panel according to a scale from 1 to 10. In the scale for levelling 1 stands for very poor levelling and 10 for perfect levelling, while in the scale for spatter, 1 stands for a high degree of spatter and 10 for no spatter at all. The following results were obtained.







TABLE 4







ICI viscosity, levelling and spatter of formulations


based on styrene-acrylate latex












Cellulose ether















Amount %
ICI viscosity




Type
by weight
Pa · s
Levelling
Spatter





A
0.50
1.2
3
3


B
0.55
1.2
3
3


C
0.70
1.0
3
3


D
0.85
1.6
4
4


E
0.51
1.0
3
8


F
0.44
1.1
1
6


Ex 1
0.30
1.2
4
6


Ex 2
0.35
1.1
4
6


Ex 3
0.45
1.3
3
5


Ex 4
0.43
1.1
3
5


Ex 5
0.33
1.1
4
5


Ex 6
0.24
0.9
5
6


Ex 7
0.40
1.2
4
6
















TABLE 5







ICI viscosity, levelling, and spatter of paint formulations


based on vinylacetate-ethylene-vinylchloride latex










Cellulose ether













Amount %
ICI viscosity




Type
by weight
Pa · s
Levelling
Spatter














A
0.43
1.0
9
3


B
0.50
1.1
9
3


C
0.65
1.5
9
4


D
0.85
1.8
9
4


E
0.52
1.2
7
6


F
0.65
1.6
7
6


Ex 1
0.35
1.4
9
5


Ex 2
0.36
1.4
9
6


Ex 3
0.41
1.4
9
5


Ex 4
0.40
1.4
10
4


Ex 5
0.35
1.3
10
5


Ex 6
0.30
1.3
10
6









The results show that the cellulose ethers of the invention can be used in lower 10 amounts and/or with lower amounts of the hydrophobic substituents than the comparison cellulose ethers and still have at least equal and in most cases even better ICI viscosities, spatter, and levelling.
EXAMPLE 11
A high-viscous filler was prepared by mixing the following ingredients:











Ingredient
Parts by weight
















Carbonate of magnesium and calcium
946.5


Chalk hydrate
10


Thickener in accordance with Table 6 below
5


Vinylacetate-ethene-vinylchloride (Mowilith DM 122)
30


Bactericide
1


Dispersing agent (polyacrylic acids)
0.5


Defoamer
2


Water
350









The flowability of the fillers was tested by means of the ring test. The following results were obtained.







TABLE 6







Flow properties of fillers containing different cellulose ethers










Cellulose ether
Ring test, mm flow













B
68.5



F
65



Ex 1
37



Ex 2
49



Ex 7
45









From the results it is evident that the flow of the filler compositions according to the invention is lower than the flow of the compositions containing the comparison cellulose ethers.

## Claims

1. A method of thickening an aqueous composition which comprises adding to said aqueous composition at least one associative water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether, wherein said ether has a DP viscosity, measured at a concentration of 1% by weight at 20° C., from 1000 mPa·s to 15,000 mPa·s and an average MS from 0.0001 to 0.005 of hydrophobic substituents containing an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon group of 8-24 carbon atoms.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the average MS of the cellulose ether is from 0.0003 to 0.0028.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellulose ether contains substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, methyl, ethyl and mixtures thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellulose ether has a MS hydroxyethyl of 0.8-4.5.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the cellulose ether contains methyl substituents or ethyl substituents or a mixture thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the cellulose ether has a cloud point temperature from 50° C. to 90° C.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said aqueous composition is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous decorative paint composition, an aqueous paper coating composition, an aqueous organic filler composition, an aqueous cement slurry, an aqueous detergent composition and aqueous personal care formulation.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic substituent of the cellulose ether has the formula




wherein A is an alkyleneoxy group with 2-3 carbon atoms, x, z, and m are a number 0 or 1, n is a number from 0-7, with the proviso that when x and z are both 0, then n and m are both 0, and R represents a hydrocarbon group of 6-22 carbon atoms.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein when z is 1, x is 0 and m is 1.

10. A composition selected from the group consisting of aqueous decorative paint composition, an aqueous paper coating composition, an aqueous organic filler composition, an aqueous cement slurry, an aqueous detergent composition and aqueous personal care formulation, wherein said composition comprises at least one associative water-soluble nonionic cellulose ether, wherein said ether has a DP viscosity, measured at a concentration of 1% by weight at 20° C., from 1000 mP·s to 15,000 mPa·s and an average MS from 0.0001 to 0.005 of hydrophobic substituents containing an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon group of 8-24 carbon atoms.

11. The composition of claim 10 wherein said composition is a paint composition that comprises an alkyd emulsion or latex.