Background of the invention

This invention is in the area of polymer chemistry, and in particular relates to a group of novel polyacrylic acid derivatives that can be used in a variety of applications, including textile applications.

Polymethacrylic acid and polyacrylic acid, as well as their copolymers, are important polyelectrolytes that are widely used in industry for a number of applications, including as thickening agents for paints, suspending agents for inorganic pigments, flocculants in metal ore recovery, and in ion-exchange resins, coatings and dispersants. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,043,965 to Dickson describes a copolymer of acrylic acid and 1,1-dihydroperfluorooctyl methacrylate that is useful as a soil-release finish in the rinse cycle of a home laundry process. U.S. Patent No. 4,680,128 to Portnoy discloses low molecular weight copolymers of acrylic acid and salts of vinylsulfonic acid for use as dispersants and deflocculants.

Polymethacrylic acid and a number of copolymers and blends thereof have been used increasingly to impart stain resistance to nylon (polyamide) fibers. The anionic moieties of the polymers ionically bind to protonated terminal amines in the polyamide, blocking subsequent ionic bonding by anionically charged dyes. U.S. Patent No." 4,937,123 to Chang, et al., assigned to Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, describes the use of polymethacrylic acid and copolymers of methacrylic acid with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers to impart stain resistant properties to nylon fibers. U.S. Patent No. 4,822,373 to Olson, also assigned to Minnesota

Mining and Manufacturing Company, describes a stain resistant composition prepared by blending a partially sulfonated novolak resin with a polymethacrylic acid, or a copolymer of methacrylic acid with ethylenically unsaturated monomers. U.S. Patent No. 4,940,757 to Moss, et al., assigned to Peach State Labs, Inc., describes a stain resistant polymeric composition that includes a polymer prepared by polymerizing an α- substituted acrylic acid in the presence of a sulfonated formaldehyde condensation polymer (a novoloid resin) to form a graft copolymer of the poly(α-substituted acrylic acid) and the novoloid resin. The graft copolymer has superior stain resist properties over a mere blend of a poly(c.-substituted acrylic acid) and a novoloid resin as described in •373 to Olson.

A number of chemical agents other than stain resist agents are required during textile processing and handling. Examples include dye levelers, acids to adjust pH, cleaning agents (detergents, shampoos, and surfactants) , emulsifiers, yarn lubricants, defoamers, antistatic agents, flame retardants, ultra-violet absorbing agents, and finishing resins. A substantial amount of the agents currently used typically remain in the wastewater after use, increasing the B.O.D.

(biological oxygen demand) and C.O.D. (carbon oxygen demand) of the wastewater. The agents also increase the hazardous nature of the wastewater, which significantly increases the burden of water purification placed on the company and on the publicly owned treatment facilities.

It would be of significant environmental benefit to develop textile processing chemicals that adhere to the carpet fiber (that would be exhausted onto the fiber) instead of remaining in the wastewater to be

removed later at significant expense. It would be of even greater value to have an exhaustible processing chemical that improves the properties of the textile fiber for residential or commercial use. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide textile processing and handling agents that have improved performance over the currently used agents.

It is another object of the present invention to provide processing chemicals for textile applications that are exhausted onto synthetic and natural fibers and substrates.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an exhaustible processing chemical that improves the properties of the synthetic and natural fibers and substrates.

Summary of the invention

New polyacrylic acid resins are prepared by polymerizing acrylic acid, H ₂ C=CRC0 ₂ X, or HRC=CHC0 ₂ X, wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, halogenated hydrocarbon, or sulfonated hydrocarbon of from Ci to C ₂₀ , phenol, naphthol, sulfonated phenol, sulfonated naphthol, or a halogen, and X is hydrogen, alkyl, or a hydroxylated, ethoxylated, sulfonated, or halogenated aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon of from Ci to C ₂₀ , sodium, potassium, ammonium, or quaternary amine, in the presence of an aromatic sulfonic acid or its salt. In a second embodiment, a textile processing or cleansing compound is included in the polymerization reaction, along with the acrylic acid and sulfonated aromatic compound. Increasing the relative ratio of the acrylic acid to the other components in the polymerization reaction mixture

increases the aqueous solubility and reduces viscosity of the reaction product.

The polymerization reaction components are selected based on the desired properties of the resulting polymeric product for a specific application. The choice of aromatic sulfonic acid or its salt and textile processing or cleansing agent will influence the aqueous solubility, wettability, ionic character, surfactant capability, exhaustibility, soil and grease absorption, chelation ability, flame retardancy, and detergency of the polymer.

The resulting polymers have superior properties for use in textile processing and cleaning, and can be used as detergents, dye levelers, surfactants, emulsifiers, yarn lubricants, copolymerizing agents, polymer after treat agents, finishing agents, leather tanning and finishing auxiliaries, defoamers, chelating agents, flocculants, anti-static agents, flame retardants, metal cleaners, metal coatings, and as multipurpose acids (replacing or supplementing, for example, phosphoric, acetic, formic, sulfonic, or sulfamic acid in a processing procedure) .

Detailed Description of the Invention

An important advantage of the polymers described herein are that they can replace current textile processing and finishing chemicals that can have a harmful effect on the environment. For example, laundry detergents now commonly include phosphoric acid salts or their esters as surfactants. These compounds are very difficult to remove from wastewater and are often released into fresh water, where they accelerate the aging of rivers, streams, and lakes.

In certain countries, phosphoric acid esters are being replaced with acrylic and methacrylic acid polymers. An alternative laundry detergent can be prepared as described herein by polymerizing an acrylic acid in the presence of a sulfonated aromatic compound and a phosphoric acid ester. The resulting laundry detergent retains the advantages of the phosphoric acid ester but is easily removed from wastewater using conventional wastewater treatment processes. The polymers described herein can also be used in fiber finishing processes to replace or supplement the acid dye levelers, surfactants, emulsifiers, and acids for pH adjustment that are now used. These compounds are eliminated in the waste stream, significantly increasing the biological oxygen demand (B.O.D.) and the chemical oxygen demand (C.O.D.) of the wastewater. The polymers described herein can be exhausted onto nylon fiber, wool, silk, or leather, so that they are not eliminated in the waste stream, thereby decreasing the B.O.D. and C.O.D. of the wastewater, and at the same time actually improving the physical properties and durability of the fiber.

As used herein, the term polyacrylic acid includes polymers prepared by the polymerization of H ₂ C=CHCθ ₂ X, H ₂ C=CRC0 ₂ X or HRC=CHCθ ₂ X, or mixtures of these monomers, with X and R as defined above. The term acrylic acid as used herein includes H ₂ C=CHCθ ₂ X, HRC=CHCθ ₂ X, and HC=CRCθ ₂ X. The term aromatic sulfonic acid or sulfonated aromatic compound refers to any aromatic compound in which a sulfonic acid group is covalently bound to an aromatic moiety.

Acid dye levelers are compounds that allow uniform distribution of a dye during the coloring process. If a leveler is not used, the ^* dyestuff tends to adhere in a nonuniform fashion, causing blotching of the color

and Barre' . Textile processing acids are compounds used to adjust the pH during dyebath and finishing treatments. Surfactants and emulsifiers are surface active agents that modify the surface energy between two liquid phases. A yarn lubricant is an oil or emulsion finish that is applied to a fiber to prevent damage to the fiber during textile processing or applied to knitting yarns to make them more pliable. A defoa er is a chemical that reduces the foamability of a solution. An antistatic agent is a reagent capable of preventing, reducing, or dissipating static electrical charge that is produced on materials. A flame retardant is a chemical that is incorporated into a textile fiber during manufacture or use to reduce flammability. Ultra-violet absorbers are chemicals that absorb ultra-violet radiation, and are used to protect the fiber from damage caused by uv absorption. A finishing agent is a chemical applied to a substrate for dimensional stability and other desired aesthetic effects.

Acrylic acid resins prepared as described herein can also be used as copolymerizing agents in the polymerization reaction with any ethylenic unsaturated monomers, including H ₂ C=CHCθ ₂ X, HRC=CHCθ ₂ X, H ₂ C=CRCθ ₂ X, and styrene. The monomers useful for copolymerization with the methacrylic acid are monomers having ethylenic unsaturation. Such monomers include, for example, monocarboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids, and anhydrides; substituted and unsubstituted esters and amides of carboxylic acids and anhydrides; nitriles; vinyl monomers; vinylidene monomers; monoolefinic and polyolefinic monomers; and heterocyclic monomers.

Representative monomers include, for example, acrylic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, aconitic

acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, cinnamic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, vinyl phosphonic acid, alkyl or cycloalkyl esters of the foregoing acids, the alkyl or cycloalkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms such as, for example, ethyl, butyl, 2-ethylhexyl, octadecyl, 2-sulfoethyl, acetoxyethyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl acrylates and methacrylates, and amides of the foregoing acids, such as, for example, acrylamide, methacrylamide, methylolacrylamide, and 1,1- dimethylsulfoethylacrylamide, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, styrene, α-methylstyrene, p- hydroxystyrene, chlorostyrene, sulfostyrene, vinyl alcohol, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, vinyl ethers, vinyl sulfides, vinyl toluene, butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, ethylene, isobutylene, vinylidene chloride, sulfated castor oil, sulfated sperm oil, sulfated soybean oil, and sulfonated dehydrated castor oil. Particularly useful monomers include, for example, alkyl acrylates having 1-4 carbon atoms, itaconic acid, sodium sulfostyrene, and sulfated castor oil. Of course, mixtures of the monomers, such as, for example, sodium sulfostyrene and styrene, and sulfated castor oil and acrylic acid, can be copolymerized with the methacrylic acid.

Methods to polymerize a monomer in the presence of a polymer are described in a number of sources, including U.S. Patent No. 4,940,757 to Moss, incorporated by reference herein.

I. (α or β)-Substituted Acrylic Acid or Acrylic Acid

The polyacrylic acid resin is prepared with a HC=CHC0 ₂ X, H ₂ C=CRC0 ₂ X, or HRC=CHC0 ₂ X or mixtures of these, wherein R is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, halogenated hydrocarbon, or sulfonated hydrocarbon of from Ci to C ₂ 0, phenol, naphthol, sulfonated phenol, sulfonated naphthol, or a halogen, and X is hydrogen, alkyl, or a hydroxylated, ethoxylated, sulfonated, or halogenated aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon of from C^ to C ₁₀ , sodium, potassium, ammonium or quaternary amine. A preferred starting material is H ₂ C=CRC0 ₂ X, wherein R is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, phenyl, phenol, sulfonated phenol, naphthol, chloro, or fluoro, and X is hydrogen, lower alkyl (Ci to C ₁₀ ) , sodium, potassium or ammonium.

Mixtures of and or β-substituted acrylic acids, with or without acrylic acid, can also be reacted together. Esters of substituted acrylic acids can be polymerized in combination with unesterified substituted acrylic acids. If the alcohol from which the ester is prepared is hydrophobic, as the percentage of ester in the composition increases, water solubility and affinity for the polyamide fiber will decrease. If the alcohol from which the ester is prepared is hydrophilic or basic, water solubility is not adversely affected or is improved. Acrylic acid derivatives with low water solubility can be polymerized using emulsion polymerization techniques known to those skilled in the art.

In an alternative embodiment, an unhalogenated acrylic acid is copolymerized with a partially halogenated or perhalogenated acrylic acid or acrylate. In another embodiment, an acrylic acid or anhydride is esterified with a halogenated alcohol.

and then polymerized or copolymerized in the presence of the textile processing or cleansing chemical. In yet another embodiment, fluorinated Cβ-Ci ₂ esters of acrylic acids are polymerized or copolymerized. It is preferable to copolymerize a fluorinated acrylate with at least some free acrylic acid.

Fluorinated alkyl esters of acrylic acid have low water solubility. When polymerizing these esters, an emulsifying agent such as a nonyl phenol, an ethoxylated oleic acid ester, or a sorbitan monooleate should be included in the reaction mixture.

The acrylic acid monomers can be used as the free acids, as mixtures of the salt and free acid or as all salts. The free acids are used when water solubility is desirable or the compound is to be used with surfactants, emulsifiers, or acids. The salts are used in detergents and as hydrotropes. Alpha- substituted acrylic acids are preferred when used as acid dye levelers and to increase substantivity.

II. Aromatic Sulfonic Acids and their Salts

Aromatic sulfonic acids are included in the acrylic acid polymerization reaction to impart a number of characteristics to the polymer, including, but not limited to, anionic character (when in the salt form) suitable for ionic bonding with protonated terminal amines, acidity when used as the free acid, viscosity adjustment, prevention of precipitation and clumping, hydrotropic effects, and increased exhaustibility.

Nonli iting examples of aromatic sulfonic acids include xylene sulfonic acid, toluene sulfonic acid, benzene sulfonic acid, cumene sulfonic acid, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, dodecyl diphenyloxide disulfonic acid, naphthalene sulfonic acid,

benzaldehyde sulfonic acid, methylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, trimethylbenzenesulfonic acid, aminobenzene sulfonic acid, halobenzenesulfonic acid, alkoxybenzenesulfonic acid, benzophenone sulfonic acid, benzophenone disulfonic acid, halonaphthalene sulfonic acid, alkylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, alkoxynaphthalene sulfonic acid, carboxybenzene sulfonic acid (3-sulfobenzoic acid), hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid, hydroxynapthalenesulfonic acid, carboxymethylbenzene sulfonic acid, alkylbenzene disulfonic acid, dicarboxybenzene sulfonic acid, acetamidobenzene sulfonic acid, acetaminonaphthalene sulfonic acid, naphthalene disulfonic acid, alkyl naphthalene disulfonic acid, dialkylbenzene disulfonic acid, biphenyl-4,4'-disulfonic acid, benzene and naphthalene sulfonic acids that contain combinations of halo, alkyl, hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxy, and acetamino groups, as well as the salts of all of these compounds. Preferred salt cations are sodium, potassium, and ammonium. Examples of aromatic sulfonic acid salts include sodium xylene sulfonate, ammonium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate, ammonium cumene sulfonate, potassium toluene sulfonate, potassium cumene sulfonate, and potassium xylene sulfonate.

The choice of aromatic sulfonic acid to be included in the acrylic acid polymerization reaction will be determined by a variety of factors, including aqueous or organic solubility, degree of sulfonation, viscosity, solidification temperature, and pH. One of skill in the art will know how to select the appropriate aromatic sulfonic acid based on known properties of these compounds. Mixtures of sulfonated aromatic compounds, including salts, can be used to attain the desired properties. Diphenyl esters or

diphenyl oxide disulfonates are preferred for use in levelers. Xylene sulfonic acids are preferred for use in exhaustible acids. Dodecylbenzene sulfonic acids are preferred for use in shampoos and detergents.

III. Textile Processing or Cleansing Compounds

A wide variety of textile processing and cleansing compounds can be included in the acrylic acid polymerization reaction to improve the properties of the polymeric composition. Examples of the families of chemicals that can be included are described in more detail below. None of these families of compounds include the traditional ethylenically unsaturated monomers, as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,937,123 to Olson, that are typically copolymerized with acrylic acid or its derivatives. A. Surfactants As noted above, polymers prepared by the polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of an aromatic sulfonic acid and a surfactant can be used in a wide variety of applications, including as acid dye levelers, pH adjusters, in shampoos and detergents, as defoamers, yarn lubricants, and in metal cleaners and coatings. The polymer can be exhausted onto fibers with terminal protonated amino groups, such as nylon, during textile treatment processes, to reduce the concentration of the polymeric material in the wastewater, thereby reducing the B.O.D. and C.O.D. (biological oxygen demand and carbon oxygen demand, respectively) of the effluent.

Surfactants contain both a hydrophobic (or lyophobic) end and a hydrophilic (or lyophilic) end. Surfactants are typically characterized by the nature of its hydrophilic portion. Anionic surfactants have a negatively charged moiety in the hydrophilic end of

the molecule, such as a carboxylate or sulfonate salt. Cationic surfactants have a positive charge in the hydrophilic portion of the molecule, provided by, for example, an ammonium salt or a quaternary amine. A zwitterionic surfactant has both positive and negative charges in the hydrophilic portion. Examples of zwitterions are long chain amino acids and sulfobetaines. Nonioniσ surfactants do not have a formalized charge. Examples include the monoglycerides of long chain fatty acids and polyoxyethylenated alkyl phenol.

The hydrophobic end of the surfactant can include a wide variety of structures, for example, straight or branched long chain alkyl groups, long chain alkyl benzenes, alkyl naphthalenes, rosins, high molecular weight propylene oxide polymers, long chain perfluoroalkyl groups, polysiloxane groups and lignin derivatives. In general, as the length of the hydrophobic group .increases, solubility in polar or ionic solvents decreases. Branching and unsaturation typically increases the solubility of the surfactant in all solvents. Aromatic nuclei increase adsorption onto polar surfaces. Polyoxypropylene chains also increase adsorption onto polar surfaces, and increase solubility in organic solvents. Perfluoroalkyl and polysiloxane moieties are hydrophobic groups that reduce the surface tension of water to lower values than those attainable with a hydrocarbon-based hydrophobic group. Perfluoroalkyl surfaces are both water and hydrocarbon repellent.

The characteristics of surfactants and their applicability for a wide variety of applications are described by Rosen in Surfactants and Interfacial Phenomena. 2nd Edition (John Wiley and Sons, NY) , incorporated herein by reference. In general, the

desired chemical structures of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions of the surfactant will vary with the nature of the solvent and the conditions of use. As discussed by Rosen, in a highly polar solvent such as water, the hydrophobic group can be, for example, a hydrocarbon, fluorocarbon or siloxane chain of proper length, whereas in a less polar solvent such as an alcohol, a very nonpolar moiety is required in the hydrophobic part of the surfactant. If a surface is to be made hydrophobic by the use of a surfactant, a cationic surfactant is usually preferred. If a surface is to be made hydrophilic, in general, then anionic surfactants should be considered. Nonionic surfactants adsorb onto surfaces with either the hydrophilic or hydrophobic group oriented toward the surface, depending on the nature of the surface.

It is important to understand that surfactant activity in a particular system is highly dependent on the nature of the two immiscible materials. The surfactant must have a chemical structure that is amphipatic in that solvent system. Methods to select and manipulate the surfactant for a given system are well known to those of skill in the art, and are described in a large number of textbooks, for example, Surfactants and Interfacial Phenomena.

Families of surfactants are also well known to those skilled in the art, and can be used with the polymers described herein. Common ionic surfactant families include sodium and potassium salts of straight chain fatty acids (soaps) , sodium and potassium salts of coconut oil fatty acids, sodium and potassium salts of tall oil acids, amine salts, acylated polypeptides, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, higher alkyl benzene sulfonates, aromatic sulfonates, petroleum sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates (secondary

n-alkanesulfonates) , olefin sulfonates, sulfosuccinate esters, alkylnaphthylsulfonates, isethioates, sulfuric acid ester salts, including sulfated linear primary alcohols, sulfated polyoxyethylenated straight chain alcohols, sulfated triglyceride oils, phosphoric and polyphosphoric acid esters, perfluorinated anionics, long chain amines and their salts, diamines and polyamines and their salts, quaternary ammonium salts, polyoxyethylenated long-chain amines, quaternized poyoxyethylenated long chain amines, and amine oxides. Common nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylenated alkylphenols, alkyl phenol ethoxylates (such as the polyoxyethylenated derivatives of nonylphenol, octyl phenol, and dodecylphenol) , alcohol ethoxylates, polyethylenated polypropylene glycols, polyoxyethylenated polyoxypropylene glycol, polyoxyethylenated mercaptans, long chain carboxylic acid esters, glycerol and polyglycerol esters of natural fatty acids, propylene glycol, sorbitol, and polyoxyethylenated sorbitol esters, polyoxyethylene glycol esters and polyoxyethylenated fatty acids, alkanolamine condensates, alkanolamides, alkanolamine fatty acid condensates, tertiary acetylenic glycols, polyoxyethylenated silicones, N-alkylpyrrolidones, and alkylpolyglycosides.

Common zwitterionic surfactants include β-N- alkylaminopropionic acid, N-alkyl-β-iminodipropionic acids, imidazoleline carboxylates, N-alkylbetaines, amine oxides, sulfobetaines and sultaines.

Preferred surfactants include polyethylene glycols, phenol ethoxylates, ethoxylated alcohols, and phosphoric acid esters. These families of compounds are discussed in more de-tail below.

1. Ethylene Glycol Esters and Polyethylene Glycols

Ethylene glycol esters, ethylene glycols and polyethylene glycols can be used in the preparation of acrylic acid resins to be used as surfactants, emulsifiers, and lubricants (i.e., detergent builders) .

Ethylene glycol can be in the form of a mono or diester, for example, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, ethylene glycol (mono or di)-isopropyl ether, ethylene glycol (mono or di)-n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol (mono or di)-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol (mono or di)-sec-butyl ether, and ethylene glycol (mono or di)- isobutyl ether. Also appropriate are the mono- and di- alkyl ethers of diethylene glycol.

Polyethylene glycols (referred to as "PEG") can be purchased from any of several commercial sources in molecular weights ranging from 100 to 6,000. Polypropylene glycols are also available from a number of sources. 2. Phenol Ethoxylates

Long chain alkyl phenol ethoxylates are known surfactants. These compounds can be added to the acrylic acid polymerization reaction to form a polymer that can be used as an exhaustible surfactant or emulsifier, exhaustible acid dye leveler, liquid laundry detergent, or liquid detergent additive. A commonly used phenol ethoxylate is nonylphenol ethoxylate, which is commercially available having a wide range of ethoxylation, including 4 mole, 6 mole, 9 mole, 15 mole, and 30 mole. All of these are suitable for incorporation into the acrylic acid resins. Various types of ethoxylated octylphenol and dodecylphenol are also commercially available.

Combinations of long chain alkyl phenol ethoxylates are also suitable.

The greater the extent of ethoxylation of the long chain phenol ethoxylate, the higher its water solubility. Therefore, phenol ethoxylates with high ethoxylation values should be used in the acrylic acid polymerization reaction when a product is desired that has high wettability or aqueous solubility. In contrast, a phenol ethoxylate with a low ethoxylation value should be used to prepare a product with low solubility and high exhaustibility. For example, a nonyl phenol with a low extent of ethoxylation is suitable for inclusion in a product used as a defoamer, in which low solubility is an important factor.

3. Ethoxylated Alcohols

Ethoxylated alcohols can be included in the acrylic acid polymerization process to provide a product that is useful as a surfactant, emulsifier, low foam detergent or wetting agent. Preferred compounds are ethoxylated decyl alcohol and tridecyl alcohol. These compounds are commercially available with ethoxylation values of approximately 4 mole, 6 mole, 8.5 mole, 9 mole, 12 mole, 15 mole, and 30 mole. Decyl alcohols are preferred for use as low temperature surfactants and tridecyl alcohols are preferred for use as high temperature surfactants. B. Phosphoric Acid Derivatives Phosphoric acid and its salts, as well as phosphoric acid esters and their salts, can be included in the acrylic acid polymerization reaction to provide a product that is a superior chelating agent, flocculant, flame retardant, metal cleaner, anti-static agent, emulsifying agent (for example, in pesticides, herbicides, and in liquid fertilizer) , dry

cleaning solution, or hydrotrope. Preferred phosphoric acid esters are phosphated polyoxyethylenated alcohols (acid or salt) , phosphated polyoxyethylenated phenols (acid or salt) , and sodium alkyl phosphates. A preferred phosphoric acid ester is 2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid. Any cation can be used to form the salt, including sodium, potassium, ammonium, substituted ammonium, and quaternary amine. Other suitable phosphoric acid esters include phosphated decyl alcohol with ethoxylation values of 4 and 6 mole for use as flame retardants and antistatic agents.

C. Ultra-violet Absorbing Agents Ultra-violet absorbing agents can be included in the acrylic acid polymerization reaction to provide a product that provides a protective coating against ultra-violet radiation. Any aromatic ultra-violet absorbing molecule is suitable. Examples include 2,4- dihydroxy-benzophenone (Uvinol™-400, BASF Corporation) , 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenone

(Uvinol™ M-40, BASF Corporation), 2,2'-dihydroxy- 4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone (Uvinol D-49, BASF Corporation) , Uvinol™ 490 (BASF Corporation, mixture of Uvinol™ D-49 and other tetrasubstituted benzophenones) , 2,2' ,4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (Uvinol™ D-50) , 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenone-5- sulfonic acid (Uvinol™ MS-40) , disodium 2,2'- dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,5'-disulfobenzophenone (Uvinol™ DS-49) , ethyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate (Uvinol™ N-35) , 2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3- diphenylacrylate (Uvinol TM N-539) , and 4-methoxy-5- hydroxy-benzophenone-3-sulfonic acid.

Fluorochemicals are also useful with the polymers described herein. A number of compositions are commercially available and known to those skilled in

the art. Fluorochemical coatings have been developed that prevent wetting of the carpet surface, by minimizing chemical contact between of the carpet surface,and substances that can stain the carpet, making the substance easier to remove'. Typical fluorochemicals contain a perfluoroalkyl radical having three to twenty carbons, and are produced by condensation of a fluorinated alcohol or fluorinated primary amine with a suitable anhydride or isocyanate, for example, N-ethyl perfluorooctyl-sulfonamidoethanol and toluene diisocyanate reacted in a 2:1 molar ratio. Examples of comercially available fluorochemical coati •ngs i•nclude ScotchgardTM 358 and 351 (Mi•nnesota

Mi •ni•ng & Mfg. Co.) and ZepelTM (E. I. DuPont Nemours & Co.). U.S. Patent No. 4,518,649 to Wang, et al., discloses releasing finishes for textiles. A number of water and soil repellents for fabrics are reviewed by Sodano in Chemical Technology Review No. 134, Noyes Data Corporation, Park Ridge, New Jersey 1979. European patent application by Allied Corporation describes an oil and soil repellent finish based on a mixture of a quaternary ammonium salt containing trialkyl dodecyl ammonium anion and cocotrialkyl ammonium anion and a fluorochemical consisting of polycarboxybenzene esterified with fluorinated alcohols. British patent numbers 1,379,926 and 1,405,268 to Ciba-Geigy report several fluorocarbons useful for treatment of fibers to increase oil and water resistance.

IV. Preparation of the Polymer

The reaction mixture typically contains at least H ₂ C=CHC0 ₂ X, H ₂ C=CRC0X, or HRC=CHC0 ₂ X, an aromatic sulfonic acid, a free radical initiating agent, and water. A textile processing or cleansing chemical as

defined above should be added as appropriate to produce a polymeric composition with the desired characteristics. Any ratio of components is suitable that provides a product with the desired properties. One of ordinary skill in the art can easily manipulate the ratio of components to determine the best mix for a given application without undue experimentation.

Table 1 provides typical range percentages by weight for the reaction components. It should be understood that these ranges are not limitations, but exemplary, and superior products for certain applications can be formulated using the components described herein at concentrations other than in these ranges.

Table 1: Ranges of Percent Composition for Polymeric Mixtures of Acrylic Acids and Aromatic Sulfonic Acids.

Component Percent Composition by weight acrylic acid 15-22 free radical initiating agent 3-5 water remaining percentage aromatic sulfonic acid or its salt 5-40 textile processing chemical 0-40 ethylene glycol ester ethylene glycol polyethylene glycol ethoxylated phenol ethoxylated alcohol phosphoric acid/ester

UV absorbing agents fluorochemicals

In general, as the ratio of sulfonated aromatic compound increases, the molecular weight of the resulting polymer decreases, since the sulfonated aromatic compound acts as a chain terminating reagent for the acrylic acid polymerization. Polymers of lower molecular weight are desirable for exhaustible

textile treatments because they tend to penetrate the shank of the polyamide fiber more easily than high molecular weight polymers. Polymers of higher molecular weight give good exhaustion and high substrate surface concentration. Any known free radical initiating agent can be used to initiate the acrylic acid polymerization reaction, including sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, sodium peroxide, acetyl peroxide, lauryl peroxide, azobisisobutyronitrile, t-butyl peracetate, cumyl peroxide, t-butyl peroxide, and t- butyl hydroperoxide.

The appropriate weight percent of free radical agent to be used in the polymerization reaction will be a function of the molecular weight of the initiator. In general, the amount of initiator needed for polymerization increases as the percent of monomer in the reaction solution increases. However, in a concentrated reaction solution, the need to use a substantial amount of initiator must be balanced against the tendency of high quantities of initiator to actually decrease molecular weight and viscosity. Typically, the weight of the initiator used is approximately 15-30% that of the weight of the monomer, but the optimal amount can be determined in a given reaction by routine experimentation.

In a preferred embodiment, all reaction components are mixed and heated to a temperature ranging from approximately 50°C to 100°C, depending on the temperature required for free radical generation of the initiator. The initiation of polymerization is sufficiently exothermic to raise the temperature of solution to between 100 -and 115 ^β C. The heat of reaction is controlled by reflux. The reaction

temperature is allowed to stabilize, and then maintained at 100°C for at least 30 minutes. Preferably, polymerization is allowed to proceed until one percent or less monomer is left in the reaction solution. The thickness of the reaction mixture, or tendency to gel, can be adjusted by increasing the ratio of sulfonated aromatic compound in the reaction mixture.

Once the reaction is complete, the reacted material is diluted to the desired solids concentration and viscosity, based on cost of product, effective concentration, and ease of handling. A wide variety of viscosity adjusting reagents can be used, including water and sulfonated aromatic acid or salt solutions. Preferred viscosity adjusting reagents include water, and the sodium, potassium, and ammonium salts of xylene sulfonate, cumene sulfonate, toluene sulfonate, and dodecyldiphenyl disulfonate. The resulting polymeric solution is acidic. If desired, the pH of the solution can be adjusted with a base such as ammonium, sodium, or potassium hydroxide. Acrylic acid monomer can also be added to the product mixture to increase the aqueous solubility and reduce the viscosity. The reaction can be performed in one batch or by dose feed. In a dose feed process, the reaction is started by adding a percentage of the starting material to the reactor, and heating to initiate reaction. After the reaction creates an exotherm, additional reactants are added. The dose feed process can be used to control the vigorous nature of the reaction. As an example, one-third to one-half of the starting materials is added to the reactor. After the solution boils, one-third of the remaining material is added. The final two-thirds of the remaining material

is added in at a rate so as not to reduce the reaction temperature below the initiation temperature.

V. Application and Use of the Polymer The following examples provide representative formulations for a wide variety of textile applications. The ratios of reactants in these formulations can be modified as necessary by one skilled in the art to optimize a product for a specific use. Other components can also be added as required without altering the scope of the polymeric composition described herein. These formulations are merely illustrative of the types of products that can be prepared by using the method described herein, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

All percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.

Example 1: Preparation of a Tanning Agent for Leather A superior tanning agent for leather was prepared by blending and reacting, in order:

Water 38.0%

Sodium Xylene Sulfonate 30.0%

Xylene Sulfonic Acid 10.0% Ammonium Persulfate 4.0%

Methacrylic Acid 18.0%

100.0%

The product mixture had an active solids content of approximately 39%. The product was diluted to approximately 20% active solids before use with a mixture of water and sodium xylene sulfonate.

Example 2: Preparation of a Surfactant

An exhaustible surfactant was prepared by blending and reacting:

The product had an active solids content of approximately 51%. It was diluted to a 45% active solids content with sodium cumene sulfonate and water.

Example 3: Preparation of an Exhaustible Acid

An exhaustible acid was prepared by blending and reacting:

The product had an active solids content of approximately 55%. It was diluted before use to a

35.5% active solids content with water and sulfamic acid.

Example 4: Preparation of an Exhaustible Acid

An alternative formulation for an exhaustible acid is:

Methacrylic Acid Monomer 16.0%

Xylene sulfonic acid 20.0%

Ammonium persulfate 4.0%

Water 60.0% 100.0%

The reaction was performed as described in Example 3. The reacted product was diluted with 2:1 water to xylene sulfonic acid.

Example 5: Preparation of an Exhaustible Acid

An alternative formulation for an exhaustible acid is:

Methacrylic Acid Monomer Xylene sulfonic acid Ammonium persulfate Water

The reaction was performed as described in Example 3. 500 ml of product solution was diluted to 748 ml by the addition of 200 ml of water and 30 grams of powdered sulfamic acid. To this was added 18 ml of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid to form the final product.

Example 6: Preparation of an Exhaustible Shampoo

An exhaustible shampoo that does not diminish the soil and stain characteristics of nylon carpets was

100.0%

Final product 38% solids, and pH 5.

Example 7: Preparation of a Powder or Liquid Detergent

A powder or liquid laundry detergent or builder was prepared by reacting a mixture of:

Acrylic Acid 18%

Xylene sulfonic acid 5%

Ammonium Persulfate 4%

Sodium cumene sulfonate 23% Water 30%

Nonylphenol (9 mole ethoxylate) 20%

100%

The product is spray dried to be used as a powder or used as is in the liquid state as a liquid laundry product. The product functions as both a detergent and a detergent builder. It can also serve the function of surfactant, hydrotrope, soil absorber, or redeposition agent.

Example 8: Preparation of a Hard Plastic Material A hard plastic material is prepared by mixing and heating to 80°C all of the components listed in

Formulation A or B below except methacrylic acid, and then adding the methacrylic acid to the heated components. After the reaction is completed and the water is driven off, the product can be hot pressed or molded to a desired shape. Methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, or another acrylic acid derivative described in Section II, can be substituted for methacrylic acid. Formulation A:

100%

Example 9: Preparation of an Exhaustible surfactant or Acid Dye Leveler

An acrylic acid resin that is useful as an exhaustible surfactant or exhaustible acid dye leveler was prepared by reacting:

Water 30% Sodium cumene sulfonate (45%) 30% Nonyl phenol (9 M) 20%

Methacrylic acid 15%

Ammonium Persulfate 5%

100% The product made from this formulation had a solids content of approximately 51%. The solids content was diluted to approximately 45% with water. This product can be used instead of standard wetting agents and dye levelers in textile applications to reduce the B.O.D. and C.O.D. of the wastewater. It can also be used as a surfactant for liquid laundry detergent and dishwashing detergents, as well as an emulsifying agent for yarn lubricants. The product forms a stable emulsion when poured in water at a pH from pH 4.3 to pH 12. This formulation can also be used as an industrial wetting agent for synthetic and natural fibers, particularly cotton. Example 10: Preparation of an Acid Dye Leveler An acid dye leveler was prepared by reacting: Sodium cumene sulfonate (40%) 60%

Isopropyl alcohol 7%

Dodecyl diphenyloxide disulfonate 10%

Methacrylic acid 15%

Xylene sulfonic acid 4% Ammonium persulfate 4%

100%

500 milliters of the reaction mixture was diluted to 640 ml with water to provide the final product.

Example 11: Preparation of a Yarn Lubricant

A yarn lubricant was prepared by reacting:

Methacrylic Acid 15%

Hydrogen peroxide (35%) 6% Water 54%

Polyethylene glycol 400 20% Xylene sulfonic acid 5%

100%

Example 12: Preparation of a Copolymerizing Solution

A copolymerizing solution is prepared using the stain resistant composition NB-31-150, the reaction product of methacrylic acid and the formaldeyde condensation polymer of sodium naphthalene sulfonate and 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone. Glacial methacylic acid (99% in water, 22.3 grams), water (48.7 grams), formaldehyde condensation polymer of sodium naphthalene sulfonate and 4,4'- dihydroxydi *phenylsulfone (Eπ■nalTM NW-LQ; 37-40% solution; 12.3 grams), potassium persulfate (5.7 grams) , and sodium xylene sulfonate (40% solution;

11.0 grams) were placed in a two liter round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, reflux condenser, thermometer, and water bath. The brownish solution was heated to 65°C with stirring. A large exothermic reaction rapidly raised the temperature of the reaction mixture to 100 ^β C. The temperature was maintained at 90-100°C for 30 minutes. The resulting viscous, yellow/red solution was diluted with water to give a final total solids concentration of 32 weight percent.

The reaction product (20%) was reacted with:

Methyl Methacrylate monomers 15%

Hydrogen peroxide (35%) 6% Water 54%

Xylene sulfonic acid 5%

The vessel was charged with water, xylene sulfonic acid, the 32% composition, the methyl methacrylate

monomers, heat to 50"C and add hydrogen peroxide. The temperature was raised to 100-105"C and run 30 minutes. Water was added to gain desired solids level. The product is useful as a textile coating, resin curring agent, and paint additive.

Example 13: Preparation of a Defoa er

A defoamer is prepared by reacting:

Methacryclic or acrylic acid 12% Water 43%

Benzoyl peroxide 5%

Nonyl phenol 1-5 mole (EO) 40%

100%

Example 14: Preparation of a Chelating Agent

A chelating agent is prepared by reacting:

Product can be partially neutralized with diethylamine or triethylamine to pH 5, or more amine can be added to get to pH 8. Example 15: Preparation of a Flocculant

A flocculant is prepared by reacting:

Product can be added to a waste stream in the presence of aluminum sulfate to form a bond with positively charged ions to form a precipitant mass for sludge press removal.

Example 16: Preparation of an Anti-static Agent

An anti-static agent is prepared by reacting:

Methacrylic Acid 15%

Sodium xylene sulfonate 20% Xylene sulfonic acid 5%

Phosphated 2-ethylhexanol 20%

Ammonium persulfate 3%

Water 37%

100% The product can be used as an after treatment agent for textile fabrics and nylon carpets. The product can also be used as a component in nylon yarn manufacturing as a lubricant additive for static control. Example 17: Preparation of a Flame Retardant

A flame retardant is prepared by reacting:

Methacrylic Acid 18%

Sodium xylene sulfonate 25%

Ammonium persulfate 4% Ammonium sulfamate 15%

Naphthalene sulfonic acid condensate 10%

Water 28%

100% The product can be used on nylon and cotton, in exhaust after treat cycles, and spray dried on all other fabrics in small quantities for flame retardation. Example 18: Preparation of a Metal Cleaner A metal cleaner is prepared by reacting:

Acrylic acid monomer 15%

Xylene sulfonic acid 5%

Sodium xylene sulfonate 15%

Ethylene glycol 2% Benzene sulfonic acid 10%

Sodium phosphate 5%

Water 48%

100%

Example 19: Preparation of a Metal Coating

A metal coating is prepared by reacting:

Methyl methacrylate 5%

Methacrylic acid monomer 10% Acrylic acid monomer 5%

Xylene sulfonic acid 5%

Sodium xylene sulfonate ιo%

Fluoropolymer

(Zonyl™ 5180, Du Pont) ιo% Water 55%

100% and diluting the reaction product to 60% by blending with 20% isopropyl alcohol and 20% ammonium thiocyanate (50% solution) . Spray on metal for quick dryuing protective coating.

The processes described in Examples 11 through 17 used the following reaction process, adding the reaction components as follows: water, individual components, then monomer acid, then initiator. The temperature of the vessel was raised to 65-70"C, and then heat removed. After exotherm, the reaction was allowed to proceed for 30 minutes. Final adjustments were made with water or hydrotrope to the desired solids level, and base added to the desired pH value. Although all examples were performed in a batch process, continuous methods can also be used. Surfactants can also be incorporated for use in the emulsion processes.

Modifications and variations of the present invention, new acrylic acid derivatives and their method of use, will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the foregoing detailed description of the invention. Such modifications and variations are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.