Acid Functional Dispersant Composition for Stable Pigment Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispersants fail to provide sufficient stabilization of inorganic pigments, leading to issues like color drift, increased viscosity, loss of gloss, and reduced mechanical strength in paints and coatings, as well as reduced material homogeneity in plastics due to inadequate dispersion and reagglomeration.
Innovation Solution
Development of acid functional compounds comprising segments of ether and ester units connected by ether or ester links, with randomly arranged acidic groups such as phosphoric acid, sulfonic acid, or carboxylic acid groups, enhancing dispersion stability and reducing viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dispersants are used to disperse inorganic pigments, then initial dispersion is achieved, but stabilization is insufficient leading to reagglomeration and poor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of dispersants by introducing specific acidic groups (carboxylic, sulfonic, phosphonic acid groups) with defined pKa values and incorporating them into polymeric chains with controlled architecture (block copolymers, graft copolymers, comb copolymers). This changes the chemical parameters of the dispersant to enhance its ability to stabilize inorganic pigment particles and prevent reagglomeration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite dispersant structures combining multiple functional components: polymeric chains (providing steric hindrance and solubility) combined with acidic groups (providing electrostatic stabilization and particle binding). This composite approach achieves superior stabilization compared to single-component dispersants.
2Productivity
If high filling degrees are used to increase pigment concentration, then productivity improves, but viscosity increases and dispersion stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight, architecture, and chemical composition of the dispersant to change the rheological parameters of the pigment dispersion. The specific polymeric structures and acidic group configurations allow the system to maintain low viscosity even at high pigment loadings by improving particle packing and reducing inter-particle friction.
3Productivity
If mechanical forces are applied to disperse solid particles, then initial deflocculation is achieved, but energy input increases and dispersing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs dispersants that perform preliminary stabilization during the mixing process, preventing particle aggregation before it occurs. The polymeric chains with acidic groups actively bind to particle surfaces during dispersion, creating a protective barrier that prevents reagglomeration without requiring excessive mechanical energy input.
4Reliability
If acidic groups are added to improve dispersion, then particle stabilization improves, but compatibility with certain resins and binders may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces different acidic groups at specific locations within the polymeric structure, and uses different polymeric backbones (polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, polyvinylidene fluoride) with varying chemical properties. This local differentiation allows optimization of particle stabilization at the acidic group level while maintaining overall compatibility with specific resin systems through the polymeric chain characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies the chemical composition parameters of the dispersant, including the type of polymeric chain, the specific acidic group used, the molecular weight, and the architecture, to achieve optimal compatibility with different resin and binder systems while maintaining particle stabilization effectiveness.
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
The acid functional compounds improve dispersion stability, reduce viscosity, and maintain gloss and mechanical strength, allowing for high filling degrees without negative effects on cured paints, while being economically viable and compatible with various resins and binders.
Implementation Method 1
Wetting agents which are present in a liquid in dissolved or dispersed form, reduce the surface tension or the interfacial tension, and thus increase the wetting capacity of the liquid
Implementation Method 2
Dispersants are suitable in general for stabilizing solid particles in binders, paints, coatings, pigment pastes, plastics and plastic blends
Implementation Method 3
These substances, in a small amount, are either applied directly to the solid or are added to the dispersing medium
Implementation Method 4
for reducing the viscosity of corresponding systems and for improving the flow properties
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an acid functional compound comprising i. at least one segment consisting of at least one ether unit E and at least one ester unit, wherein the ether units and ester units are connected by an ether link or by an ester link, and wherein the sum of the number of ether units and ester units is at least three, and wherein the ether units and ester units are arranged in random order, and ii. at least one acidic group which is selected from the group consisting of a phosphoric acid group, an acidic phosphoric acid ester group, a sulfonic acid group, an acidic sulfonic acid ester group and a carboxylic acid group, wherein the at least one acidic group is covalently linked to the at least one segment.