Composite Silica Plasticizer for Optical Resin Haze Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Increasing the particle diameter of silica particles to improve mechanical properties in resin compositions for optical applications leads to increased haze values and decreased light transmission, while reducing particle diameter alone does not sufficiently enhance mechanical properties, and dispersibility into transparent films is challenging.
Innovation Solution
Employing aggregates of silica particles with reduced primary particle diameters and coating with an organic material using a silane compound to adjust refractive index and improve dispersibility, forming a plasticizer composition with a composite aggregated particulate material dispersed in a liquid plasticizer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the particle diameter of silica particles is increased to improve mechanical properties, then mechanical strength is improved, but the haze value is increased and light transmission performance is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The silica particles are divided into primary particles with a specific surface area of 5 m²/g to 50 m²/g (corresponding to very small particle diameters). These primary particles are then aggregated to form composite aggregated particles with larger overall size (0.1 μm to 10 μm). This segmentation allows the primary particles to be small enough to maintain transparency while the aggregates provide mechanical reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite aggregated particles consisting of multiple primary silica particles aggregated together. This composite structure combines the transparency benefits of fine particles with the mechanical strength benefits of larger particle equivalents, resolving the contradiction between mechanical properties and optical clarity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the particle diameter of silica particles is reduced to improve light transmission, then haze value is decreased and light transmission is improved, but mechanical properties are not sufficiently improved
Solution Approach 1:
The silica is segmented into primary particles with specific surface area of 5 m²/g to 50 m²/g which ensures good light transmission. These primary particles are then aggregated to form composite particles with larger effective size (0.1 μm to 10 μm) that provide mechanical reinforcement, thus achieving both optical and mechanical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating composite aggregated particles where multiple primary particles are aggregated together, the invention achieves a structure that optically behaves like fine particles (good transmission) but mechanically acts like larger particles (good strength).
3Ease of operation
If the particle diameter of silica particles is reduced to improve dispersibility, then dispersibility into transparent film is improved, but mechanical properties are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The silica is segmented into primary particles with specific surface area of 5 m²/g to 50 m²/g which have high surface area to volume ratio, enabling excellent dispersibility in the transparent film. These primary particles are then aggregated to form composite particles that provide mechanical reinforcement while maintaining dispersibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite aggregated particle structure allows the material to disperse like fine particles while providing mechanical strength equivalent to larger particles, resolving the contradiction between dispersibility and mechanical properties.
4Adaptability or versatility
If surface treatment with silane coupling agent is performed to adjust refractive index, then refractive index is controlled and dispersibility is improved, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention controls the refractive index by selecting primary particles with specific surface area in the range of 5 m²/g to 50 m²/g and aggregating them into composite particles with controlled size distribution (0.1 μm to 10 μm). This parameter-based approach allows refractive index adjustment without additional surface treatment steps, simplifying the overall process.
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 solution achieves improved mechanical and optical properties by reducing haze values and enhancing light transmission, while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength and flexibility in transparent films and laminated glass applications.
Implementation Method 1
surface treatment is performed by use of a silane coupling agent
Implementation Method 2
coating with an organic material using a silane compound to adjust refractive index and improve dispersibility
Implementation Method 3
the haze value is increased, resulting in decreased light transmission performance
Implementation Method 4
improvement of transparency when a particulate material is mixed into a resin, the transmission amount of rays of light needs to be improved
Data Source
AI summary
A plasticizer composition to be used in a transparent resin for optics, wherein the plasticizer composition includes: a composite aggregated particulate material; and a liquid plasticizer having dispersed therein the composite aggregated particulate material. The composite aggregated particulate material includes an inorganic aggregate material being a granular material formed of aggregates of an inorganic particulate material formed of silica having a specific surface area particle diameter of not less than 0.8 nm and not greater than 80 nm, and an organic coating material formed of an organic matter coating a surface of the inorganic aggregate material. A mass of the organic coating material is not less than 0.8% and not greater than 80% with respect to a sum of a mass of the inorganic aggregate material and a mass of the organic coating material. Both mechanical properties and optical properties are realized by mixing the plasticizer composition.