Curable Composition for Thermally Conductive Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inorganic nitrides and oxides, when mixed with organic substances, face challenges in achieving improved dispersibility and thermal conductivity, particularly in thermally conductive materials, due to inadequate affinity and aggregation issues.

Innovation Solution

A curable composition is developed containing an inorganic substance, such as boron nitride, modified with a polymerizable monomer having a boronic acid group, and a specific compound with a molecular weight greater than 1,000, which enhances dispersibility and thermal conductivity by forming a coating film and improving adhesion between inorganic particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If an inorganic nitride is mixed with an organic substance to create a thermally conductive material, then thermal conductivity is improved, but dispersibility deteriorates due to inadequate affinity and aggregation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoiddispersibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a silane coupling agent as an intermediary substance that chemically bonds to both the inorganic nitride particles and the organic resin binder. This coupling agent has a dual functionality: one end attaches to the inorganic surface while the other end is compatible with the organic matrix, thereby improving dispersibility without sacrificing thermal conductivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system consisting of inorganic nitride particles, silane coupling agent, and organic resin binder. This multi-component composite structure allows each component to fulfill its specific function: the inorganic particles provide thermal conductivity, the coupling agent ensures good interfacial adhesion and dispersibility, and the organic binder provides structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the surface of inorganic nitride is modified with a polymerizable monomer having a boronic acid group, then affinity with organic substance is improved, but thermal conductivity deteriorates due to aggregation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaffinityVSAvoidthermal conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the coupling agent to be 1,000 or more, which prevents excessive aggregation while maintaining sufficient affinity. This parameter optimization ensures that the coupling agent provides adequate surface coverage and interfacial adhesion without creating thick insulating layers that would hinder thermal conduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If a compound with molecular weight equal to or greater than 1,000 is used to improve dispersibility, then dispersibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedispersibilityVSAvoidcomplexity of curable composition

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the functional groups (boronic acid, aldehyde, or pyridinium) at the molecular ends of the coupling agent while maintaining a simple linear or branched carbon chain backbone. This allows the molecule to provide specific chemical affinity at its ends while keeping the overall molecular structure relatively simple and easy to handle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 curable composition achieves excellent dispersibility and thermal conductivity in the cured substance, inhibiting aggregation and enhancing thermal conduction efficiency, leading to improved thermal performance in thermally conductive materials and devices.

Implementation Method 1

a compound which has a monovalent substituent selected from the group consisting of a boronic acid group, a boronic acid ester group, an aldehyde group, and a pyridinium group and has a molecular weight equal to or greater than 1,000

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a polymerizable monomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

the inorganic substance exhibits excellent dispersibility and which exhibits high thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10961423B2Curable composition, thermally conductive material, and device with thermally conductive layer

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A first object of the present invention is to provide a curable composition capable of providing a cured substance in which an inorganic substance exhibits excellent dispersibility and which exhibits high thermal conductivity. A second object of the present invention is to provide a thermally conductive material formed by curing the curable composition and a device with a thermally conductive layer including the thermally conductive material.The curable composition according to an embodiment of the present invention contains an inorganic substance selected from the group consisting of an inorganic nitride and an inorganic oxide, a compound which has a monovalent substituent selected from the group consisting of a boronic acid group, a boronic acid ester group, an aldehyde group, and a pyridinium group and has a molecular weight equal to or greater than 1,000, and a polymerizable monomer.