Method of Stabilizing a Peroxide-Containing Composition

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method for stabilizing an aqueous, peroxide-containing composition and to the resulting stabilized composition. More particularly, the invention relates to a stabilized, liquid plant food containing hydrogen peroxide or urea peroxide.

2. Background of the Prior Art

It is well-known that hydrogen peroxide and urea peroxide will degrade and release oxygen and that these reactions are catalyzed by trace metals, particularly iron and copper. Further, peroxides will undergo oxidization reduction reactions. In the past, a number of methods of stabilization have been used to stabilize commercial batches of hydrogen peroxide. These methods all give a clear, colorless solution of hydrogen peroxide and most of the methods used use the stannate type stabilizers or EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid).

U.S. Pat. No. 3,912,490 describes a unique composition and method for treating plants to provide oxygen to plant roots and to prevent damage caused by overwatering. The composition includes an aqueous formula containing hydrogen peroxide or urea peroxide. In using the foregoing composition commercially, a problem of stability or lack of suitable shelf life has developed, that is, over a period of time, aqueous solutions of the composition of U.S. Pat. No. 3,912,490 tend to prematurely decompose chemically or by release of oxygen thereby distorting the container in which the composition is stored.

There has now been discovered a method of stabilizing an aqueous, peroxide-containing composition comprising stabilizing the composition with a stabilizing amount of lignin sulfonate. It has also been discovered that the stabilizing effect of lignin sulfonate is enchanced by the use of EDTA and is further enhanced by the use of a nontoxic magnesium salt.

The method used herein utilizes a lignin product, particularly a lignin sulfonate. The lignin sulfonates range in molecular weight, contain small amounts of natural sugars and some higher molecular weight carbohydrates. These agents have heretofore been used as dispersants, binders, sequestering (chelating) agents, floatation agents, emulsifiers and emulsion stabilizers. The lignin sulfonates used herein are commercially available in the United States. Lignin sulfonates are found in a number of salt forms including ammonium, calcium and sodium lignin sulfonates. Lignin sulfonates are nonphytotoxic and impart a brown coloration to the solutions suitable for a fertilizer composition.

In addition to the lignin sulfonate, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and a nontoxic magnesium salt may be used to enhance the stabilizing activity of the lignin sulfonate. it has been found that when the combination of the three ingredients are used, the stability of urea peroxide or hydrogen peroxide is maintained for prolonged periods. That is, the chemical character and physical appearance of the solution is maintained and the container in which the solution is placed is not distorted due to pressure buildup due to oxygen release. It has further been found that the lignin sulfonate alone prevents physical package deformity which is not accomplished by EDTA and magnesium salts. It has further been found that the solutions so prepared and used do not damage indoor plants or prevent the germination of seeds even when used over prolonged periods.

The amount of lignin sulfonate which is an effective, stabilizing amount, ranges from about 0.1 to about 2 percent and preferably from about 0.3 to about 1 percent by weight of the composition to be stabilized.

The amount of EDTA which is an effective, stabilizing amount ranges from about 0.001 to about 1 percent and preferably about 0.01 to about 0.1 percent by weight of the composition to be stabilized.

The amount of magnesium salt which is an effective, stabilizing amount ranges from about 0.001 to about 1 percent and preferably about 0.01 to about 1 percent by weight of the composition to be stabilized. Typical magnesium salts which may be used in the invention include water soluble salts such as, for example, magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride; magnesium sulfate is preferred.

Stabilized formulations of urea peroxide or hydrogen peroxide were prepared by combining the following materials to form stabilized solutions, as shown in Table 1.