Organic-Inorganic Composite Particles Suppressing PVA Resin Swelling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in improving the water dispersibility and suppressing swelling of polyvinyl alcohol-based resin particles, particularly at low temperatures, while maintaining their solubility and water-absorbing properties, as previous methods either fail to prevent initial dissolution or compromise solubility.
Innovation Solution
The development of organic-inorganic composite particles with a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin coated with a three-dimensional siloxane crosslinked structure derived from a hydrolysis-polycondensation product of an alkoxysilane, which enhances dispersibility and prevents swelling without altering the resin's molecular structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PVA-based resin particles with high low-temperature solubility are used, then solubility is improved, but the particles swell and agglomerate to form lumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by coating PVA-based resin particles with a water-soluble polymer having low water solubility before dissolution. This pre-applied coating acts as a barrier that prevents excessive swelling and agglomeration when the particles are added to water, while still allowing the underlying high-solubility PVA resin to dissolve effectively. The coating is specifically designed to be removable upon heating, thus providing temporary protection during the dissolution process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the solubility characteristics of the coating polymer and changing its state through temperature variation. The coating polymer is selected to have low water solubility at ambient temperature to prevent swelling, but becomes soluble when heated to 60°C or higher, allowing the coating to be removed and the PVA resin to fully dissolve. This temperature-dependent solubility change enables sequential control of the dissolution process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If low-solubility PVA-based resin particles are used to suppress lump formation, then swelling is reduced, but solubility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining PVA-based resin particles with a water-soluble polymer coating. The core PVA resin provides high solubility and water-absorbing properties, while the outer coating layer provides low water solubility to prevent swelling. This composite structure allows both materials to contribute their respective advantages, achieving both high solubility and suppressed swelling simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If hydrophobic fumed silica is used to improve dispersibility, then water dispersibility is improved, but swelling cannot be suppressed due to water infiltration through gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible polymer coating film instead of rigid hydrophobic fumed silica particles. This continuous film coating conformally covers the PVA resin particle surface, providing effective barrier protection against water infiltration and swelling. The flexible nature of the polymer coating allows it to accommodate the particle morphology while maintaining a continuous protective layer that prevents water penetration.
4Ease of operation
If a PVA-based resin coating layer is used to prevent lump formation, then dispersibility is improved, but swelling cannot be suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting a coating polymer with temperature-dependent solubility characteristics. The coating is designed to be insoluble at low temperatures to prevent swelling, but becomes soluble at elevated temperatures (60°C or higher). This parameter change through temperature control allows the coating to serve different functions at different stages: protecting against swelling during storage and initial addition, then dissolving to allow complete resin dissolution when heated.
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 composite particles effectively suppress initial dissolution and swelling, improving dispersibility and maintaining long-term solubility, while reducing agglomeration and enhancing powder flow characteristics, making them suitable for various applications including drilling and construction.
Implementation Method 1
a component having a three-dimensional siloxane crosslinked structure that is derived from a hydrolysis-polycondensation product of an alkoxysilane
Implementation Method 2
a component having a three-dimensional siloxane crosslinked structure
Implementation Method 3
improve the dispersibility of the PVA-based resin after being added to water
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to improve the water dispersibility of the PVA-based resin and also to suppress the swelling of the PVA-based resin.The object is achieved by organic-inorganic composite particles, which have an average particle size of preferably 1 μm to 3,000 μm, including a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin and a component having a three-dimensional siloxane crosslinked structure that is derived from a hydrolysis-polycondensation product of an alkoxysilane and/or a low condensate thereof, wherein the alkoxysilane includes a T unit and/or a Q unit as a structural unit (s), and a Si content with respect to a total weight of the composite particles is 0.1 wt % or more and 23 wt % or less in terms of SiO2.