Calcium Oxide Moisture Absorbent with Alkoxide Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calcium oxide, used as a moisture getter in organic EL elements, is hydrophilic and alkaline, making it unsuitable for certain resins and reducing its moisture absorption speed when surface-treated to become hydrophobic.
Innovation Solution
Calcium oxide particles with an alkoxide layer on their surface, produced through dry pulverization in the presence of an alcohol and subsequent dry-treatment, maintain hydrophobicity and moisture absorption speed, allowing for effective use in organic EL elements without damaging polymer bonds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If calcium oxide is used as a moisture absorber, then moisture absorption speed is enhanced, but it cannot be used in hydrophobic resins due to strong alkalinity and hydrophilicity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a dual-nature surface on calcium oxide particles: the core remains highly reactive CaO for moisture absorption, while the surface is modified with an alkoxide layer that provides hydrophobicity. This allows different regions of the same material to have different properties - the interior maintains strong moisture absorption capability while the exterior enables compatibility with hydrophobic resins like polyolefin resins
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where calcium oxide particles are coated with an alkoxide layer (such as silane alkoxides). This composite material combines the moisture absorption properties of calcium oxide with the hydrophobic and resin-compatible properties of the alkoxide layer, enabling use in previously incompatible hydrophobic resin systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surface of calcium oxide is coated with a surface treating agent such as an aliphatic acid to make it hydrophobic, then resin compatibility is improved, but moisture absorption speed is lowered and original activity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the surface treatment by using alkoxide groups (such as silane alkoxides) instead of traditional aliphatic acid coatings. The alkoxide layer provides appropriate surface energy characteristics for hydrophobic resin compatibility while maintaining sufficient surface reactivity and porosity to allow rapid moisture absorption. The specific parameter change is the type of surface functional group, which balances hydrophobicity with moisture absorption activity
3Reliability
If calcium oxide is used in organic polymer materials, then moisture absorption function is provided, but it may cut the bonds of the polymer due to strong alkalinity
Solution Approach 1:
The alkoxide layer serves as an intermediary between the strongly alkaline calcium oxide core and the organic polymer matrix. This intermediate layer reduces the direct contact and harmful interaction between the alkaline CaO and polymer bonds, while still allowing the moisture absorption function to operate. The alkoxide layer acts as a protective buffer that prevents polymer degradation
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 resulting moisture absorbent is hydrophobic, retains high moisture absorption speed, and has improved bulk density and filling properties, enabling its use in various resins and electronic devices without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
calcium oxide particles each having an alkoxide layer on the surface thereof have hydrophobicity due to the alkyl groups possessed by the alkoxide layer and have no decrease in moisture absorption speed
Implementation Method 2
calcium oxide particles each having an alkoxide layer on the surface thereof have hydrophobicity due to the alkyl groups possessed by the alkoxide layer
Data Source
AI summary
A moisture absorbent for an organic EL element having hydrophobicity and no reduction in moisture absorption speed, and a method for producing the moisture absorbent are provided. The moisture absorbent for an organic EL element includes, as a main component, calcium oxide particles each having an alkoxide layer on the surface thereof. Furthermore, the method for producing a moisture absorbent for an organic EL element includes dry-pulverizing calcium oxide in the presence of an alcohol, and thereafter dry-treating the pulverized calcium oxide.