Polysiloxane filler treating agent and compositions prepared therewith

A polysiloxane-based filler treating agent addresses the challenge of uniform filler dispersion in thermally conductive formulations, enhancing flow and conductivity while reducing costs and environmental impact.

JP2025526669APending Publication Date: 2025-08-15DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC +1
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025507273
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-08-08
Filing Date
2023-08-04
Publication Date
2025-08-15

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing thermally conductive formulations face challenges in achieving uniform dispersion of inorganic filler particles due to immiscibility with the matrix polymer, leading to phase separation, and current filler treating agents (FTAs) are expensive and require toxic reagents and complex synthesis.

Method used

A polysiloxane-based filler treating agent (FTA) with a specific random copolymer structure is developed, allowing for efficient dispersion of high filler particle loading, using a simplified synthesis process.

Benefits of technology

The new FTA achieves favorable squeeze flow rates, extrusion rates, and thermal conductivity while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2025526669000001_ABST
    Figure 2025526669000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filler treating agent of formula I: [Formula 1] JPEG2025526669000022.jpg35170 In the formula, R 1 , R 2 , m, n, p, and q are as defined herein. The filler treating agent is useful as an additive for thermally conductive formulations.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to polysiloxane-based filler treatments and their application in thermally conductive formulations. [Background technology]

[0002] The increasing demand for conductive composite materials has driven the discovery of thermally conductive formulations that provide more uniform and efficient heat dissipation from integrated circuits, battery packs, microelectronic circuits, and electric motors. The main components of conventional thermally conductive formulations are a matrix polymer, inorganic filler particles, and a filler treating agent (FTA). The inorganic particles are the least expensive component in thermally conductive formulations and provide heat dissipation. Therefore, it is desirable to load and uniformly disperse high levels of filler particles in the matrix polymer. However, achieving uniform dispersion is difficult because the filler particles are generally immiscible with the matrix polymer, resulting in phase separation. FTAs, which have chemical functional groups compatible with both the matrix polymer and the filler particles, associate with the surfaces of the inorganic particles, promoting miscibility with the matrix and improving the dispersibility of the filler particles. An example of a commercially available FTA is monotrimethoxysilyloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane, represented by the following formula:

[0003] [ka]

[0004] (See U.S. Pat. No. 7,592,383(B2), column 6.) Unfortunately, while this class and other structurally similar FTAs are highly efficient, they are very expensive because they are prepared by multi-step synthetic procedures that require the use of toxic reagents and solvents and numerous purification steps. Therefore, it would be beneficial in the art of compatibilizers for thermally conductive formulations to find relatively low-cost FTAs with acceptable performance characteristics, including squeeze flow rate, extrusion rate, and viscosity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a filler treating agent of formula I,

[0006] [ka] In the formula, m is 5 to 150, n is 1 to 3, p is 0 to 3, q is 0 to 8, and each R 1 is independently C1-C6-alkyl, vinyl, phenyl, or benzyl, and each R 1’ are independently C1-C6-alkyl, R 2 is the following equation:

[0007] [ka] In the formula, r is 0 to 5, s is 0 or 1, t is 0 to 15, and each R 3 is independently C1-C6-alkyl and a is an integer from 1 to 3.

[0008] The FTAs of the present invention are useful as additives for thermally conductive formulations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a filler treating agent of formula I,

[0010] [ka] In the formula, m is 5 to 150, n is 1 to 3, p is 0 to 3, q is 0 to 8, and each R 1 is independently C1-C6-alkyl, vinyl, phenyl, or benzyl, and each R 1’ are independently C1-C6-alkyl, R 2is the following equation:

[0011] [ka] In the formula, r is 0 to 5, s is 0 or 1, t is 0 to 15, and each R 3 is a filler treating agent of Formula I, wherein: is independently C1-C6-alkyl; and a is an integer from 1 to 3.

[0012] The FTA of Formula I is a random copolymer, i.e., the structural units having subscripts m, n, and p need not be in the order shown in Formula I. Preferably, m is 20 or 50 to preferably 125, preferably n is 1 or 1.5 or 1.8 to 3 or 2.5 or 2.2, p is 0 to 3 or 2 or 1 or 0.5, q is 1 or 2 to 6 or 4, and each R 1 and R 1’ are preferably independently C1-C6-alkyl, more preferably methyl or ethyl, most preferably methyl; R 3 is preferably methyl or ethyl, more preferably methyl; a is preferably 2 or 3, more preferably 3.

[0013] In one aspect, R 2 is represented by the following group:

[0014] [ka] In the formula, t is 0, 1, 2, or 3.

[0015] In another embodiment, R 2 is represented by the following group:

[0016] [ka] In the formula, q+t is in the range of 0 or 1 or 3 or 5 to 20 or 14 or 9.

[0017] The filler treating agent of the present invention is a compound of formula Ia

[0018] [ka] wherein x is n+p, with a compound of formula Ib

[0019] [ka] in the presence of a platinum catalyst at elevated temperature to form a compound of formula I, wherein R 2 is the following equation.

[0020] [ka]

[0021] The filler treating agent may also be a compound of formula Ic

[0022] [ka] wherein x is n+p, with a compound of formula Id

[0023] [ka] in the presence of a platinum catalyst at elevated temperature to form a compound of formula I, wherein s is 0 and y is 0-25.

[0024] In another aspect, the present invention is a composition comprising an FTA, a polyorganosiloxane, and filler particles. The polyorganosiloxane preferably has a degree of polymerization ranging from 40 to 800 and may be functionalized with one or more crosslinkable groups, such as terminal vinyl groups. Examples of such functionalized polyorganosiloxanes include monovinyl-di-C1-C6-alkyl-terminated polysiloxanes and bis(vinyl-di-C1-C6-alkyl)-terminated polysiloxanes, more specifically bis(vinyl-dimethyl)-terminated polysiloxanes, which may be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,273.

[0025] The filler particles are metal, metal oxide, metal hydrate, or ceramic nitride particles, such as aluminum, aluminum oxide (alumina), aluminum trihydrate, boron nitride, or zinc oxide particles. The D of the filler particles measured using a HELOS laser diffraction device 50 Particle sizes typically range from 0.5 μm to 100 μm. To increase the filler particle concentration, a multimodal (e.g., bimodal) distribution of first and second filler particles can be used in the formulation.

[0026] The polyorganosiloxane concentration is preferably in the range of 1.9 or 5% to 15 or 10% by weight based on the weight of the composition, the FTA concentration is preferably in the range of 0.1 or 0.2 or 0.3% to 3 or 1 or 0.7 or 0.5% by weight based on the weight of the composition, and the filler loading is preferably in the range of 70 or 80 or 85 or 90% to 98 or 94% by weight based on the weight of the composition. The FTA of the present invention can be produced economically, and further, formulations prepared using this FTA are observed to have favorable squeeze flow rates and extrusion rates, viscosities, and thermal conductivities. [Example]

[0027] Size Exclusion Chromatography SEC separations were performed on an Agilent 1260 Infinity II liquid chromatograph equipped with an isocratic pump, a multicolumn thermostat, an integrated degasser, an autosampler, and a refractive index detector. The system was equipped with two PLgel Mixed A columns (300 × 7.5 mm i.d., 20 μm particle size) and a guard column (50 × 7.5 mm i.d.). The column oven and refractive index detector were operated at 40 °C. Sample injection volumes were 100 μL, and separations were performed at a flow rate of 1.0 mL / min using THF as the eluent. The instrument was calibrated with 10 narrow-dispersity polystyrene standards ranging from 580 to 371,000 Da. Data analysis was performed using the Agilent GPC / SEC software package, version A.02.01 (build 9.34851).

[0028] NMR spectroscopy NMR spectroscopy was performed using a Bruker Avance III HD 500 spectrometer equipped with a 5 mm Prodigy BBO CryoProbe (Billerica, MA). Proton spectra were acquired with a 10 s pulse repetition delay. Chemical shifts were determined from residual solvent protons (δ ) in CDCl3. 1 H, 7.26 ppm).

[0029] Example A - Preparation of Filler Treatment

[0030] [ka]

[0031] The copolymer of Formula Ia' and the compound of Formula Ib' were mixed at room temperature in a vinyl to Si-H molar ratio of 1:1. Karstedt's catalyst (0.1 mol % based on vinyl groups) was added to the mixture, and the temperature was raised to 120°C. After 2 hours, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, after which the reaction mixture was diluted with CHCl3 and filtered through activated carbon / Celite. The volatiles in the polymer solution were removed, and the product was characterized by SEC and NMR.

[0032] Example B - Preparation of Filler Treatment

[0033] [ka]

[0034] The copolymer of formula Ic' and the compound of formula Id' were mixed at room temperature in a 1:1 molar ratio of vinyl to Si-H groups, and the reaction, work-up, and characterization were carried out as described in Example A.

[0035] Examples C, D, E - Preparation of Filler Treatment Agents

[0036] [ka]

[0037] Examples C, D, and E were prepared by mixing compounds of Formula Ie' and Formula Ib' at room temperature in mole to mole ratios of vinyl to Si-H groups of 3:1, 3:2, and 1:1.

[0038] Examples 1-5 and Comparative Example 1 - Preparation of Formulations Containing FTA A formulation was prepared by combining FTA (0.23 g) with DOWSIL™ 2-7287 vinyldimethyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (5.31 g, viscosity = 80 cP, trademark of The Dow Chemical Company or its affiliates) and DOWSIL™ CV-119 vinyldimethyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (1.79 g, viscosity = 450 cP) in a Max-40 mixer cup and mixing at 2000 rpm for 30 seconds. This blend was then mixed with SB 36 alumina trihydrate (7.07 g, D 50 = 25 μm) and mixed at 1300 rpm for 30 seconds. Maxfil MX200 alumina trihydrate (35.57 g, D 50= 45 μm) was added to the formulation and mixed at 1300 rpm for 30 seconds. The blended material was then mixed by hand, then mixed again at 1300 rpm for 30 seconds, and then transferred to a glass jar and heated at 150°C under vacuum for 1 hour. The total filler loading of the material was 85.3% by weight and 69.7% by volume.

[0039] Measurement of squeeze flow rate A squeeze flow test was used to characterize the flow properties of test formulations containing FTA samples as follows: Thermal conductivity test formulation (0.6 g) was sandwiched between two glass slides (25 × 75 × 1.0 mm, obtained from Thermofisher) and separated by two 1 mm shims to control thickness. The top glass slide was pressed down by hand to ensure uniform spreading of the material, and the initial diameter of the material was recorded as D1. The 1 mm spacer was then removed from the test sample, and a 350 g mass was placed on the top glass and allowed to sit for 1 minute. The post-squeezing diameter was recorded as D2, and the squeeze flow rate was calculated as ΔR = (D2 - D1) / 2 (mm).

[0040] Viscosity measurements at 0.1% strain To characterize formulation viscosity and shear thinning behavior, oscillatory shear strain amplitude sweeps were performed on test formulation samples. Test formulation samples were loaded onto an Anton Paar High Throughput Rheometer (AP HT Rheometer) using a 25 mm parallel plate geometry. Trimming was performed at 1.0 mm intervals using an automated trimming robot. After a 300 s pre-test soak time, measurements were performed using a standard procedure with an oscillatory frequency of 10 rad / s, sweeping strain amplitudes from 0.01 to 300% with 20 sampling points per decade. Viscosity at 0.1% strain (low shear rate viscosity) was reported.

[0041] Extrusion speed measurement The extrusion rate was measured by loading the gel formulation into a 30 mL EFD syringe. The syringe was then attached to an EFD dispenser and the material was dispensed under nitrogen at 55 psi for 5 seconds. The extrusion rate was recorded as the mass dispensed during the 5 second dispense period, as determined using an analytical balance.

[0042] Thermal Conductivity Measurement Thermal conductivity was measured using a Hot Disk transient planar source tool (TPS 2500S) and a Kapton-coated thermal probe. Isotropic bulk measurements were performed in a 6 mm diameter vessel.

[0043] Table 1 shows the squeeze flow rate (SF, in mm), viscosity at 0.1% strain (Visc., in Pa·s), and extrusion rate (ER, in g / 5 sec) at 55 psi for the thermogel samples. RMS-759 refers to DOWSIL™ RMS-759 mono-trimethoxysiloxy-dimethylsiloxane polymer (a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company or its affiliates), which is the FTA used in Comparative Example 1. The thermal conductivity of all formulations was measured at 2.3 W / m·K.

[0044] [Table 1]

[0045] The formulations of Examples 1-5 exhibited acceptable squeeze flow rates, viscosities at 0.1% strain, extrusion rates, and thermal conductivities. The extrusion rates were significantly improved compared to the commercially available formulation (C1). The formulations of the present invention also benefit from the ease of preparation of FTAs.

Claims

1. A filler treating agent of formula I, 【Chemical 1】 In the formula, m is 5 to 150, n is 1 to 3, p is 0 to 3, q is 0 to 8, and each R 1 But independently, C 1 ~C 6 - alkyl, vinyl, phenyl, or benzyl, and each R 1’ But independently, C 1 ~C 6 - alkyl, R 2 is the following equation: 【Chemistry 2】 In the formula, r is 0 to 5, s is 0 or 1, t is 0 to 15, and each R 3 But independently, C 1 ~C 6 - alkyl and a is an integer from 1 to 3.

2. Each R 1 But independently, C 1 ~C 6 -alkyl, p is 0 to 2, q is 2 to 4, and each R 1 But independently, C 1 ~C 6 2. The filler treating agent of claim 1, wherein a is -alkyl and a is 2 or 3.

3. Each R 1 and each R 1’ 3. The filler treating agent of claim 2, wherein is independently methyl or ethyl and p is 0-1.

4. Each R 1 and each R 1’ is methyl, m is 50 to 125, n is 1.8 to 2.2, and each R 3 4. The filler treating agent of claim 3, wherein is methyl and p is 0 to 0.

5.

5. n is 2, and R 2 is expressed by the following equation: 【Chemistry 3】 5. The filler treating agent according to claim 1, wherein t is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and p is 0.

6. t is 0, and each R 3 6. The filler treating agent of claim 5, wherein is methyl.

7. n is 2, and R 2 is expressed by the following equation: 【Chemistry 4】 5. The filler treating agent of claim 1, wherein q+t is in the range of 0 to 20 and p is 0.

8. 8. The filler treating agent of claim 7, wherein q+t is in the range of 3 to 14.

9. 8. The filler treating agent of claim 7, wherein q+t is in the range of 5 to 9.