Filled Nanoparticles Alkylene Carbonate Core Polymeric Shell

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing encapsulation methods fail to produce nanosize capsules containing reactive chemicals such as catalysts, functional dyes, and reactive intermediates effectively.

Innovation Solution

A miniemulsion polymerization process is used to create filled nanoparticles with a nanosized polymer shell encapsulating reactive chemicals, involving a mixture of monomer, initiator, reactive chemical, surfactant, and water, subjected to shearing and heating to polymerize the monomer, resulting in nanoparticles with a polymer shell encapsulating the reactive chemical.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional encapsulation methods (phase separation, interfacial polymerization, spray drying, etc.) are used, then microcapsules can be produced, but nanosize capsules containing reactive chemicals cannot be effectively produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule size controlVSAvoidencapsulation efficiency of reactive chemicals

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the key parameter of particle size from microscale to nanoscale by modifying the polymerization conditions and monomer selection. The use of nanosized monomer particles and controlled polymerization temperature enables production of nanosize capsules (1-1000 nm) while maintaining high encapsulation efficiency for reactive chemicals through the small particle size and controlled shell formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite capsule structures consisting of a polymer shell composed of multiple monomer units (e.g., styrene, butadiene, acrylonitrile) encapsulating reactive chemicals. The composite nature of the polymer shell provides both structural integrity and controlled release properties, enabling simultaneous achievement of nanosize dimensions and high encapsulation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If reactive chemicals are encapsulated in nanosize capsules, then storage stability and controlled release are enhanced, but the encapsulation process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage stability of reactive chemicalsVSAvoidencapsulation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by pre-forming nanosized monomer particles containing the reactive chemicals before polymerization. This preliminary dispersion and stabilization of monomer droplets ensures uniform distribution of reactive chemicals and enables controlled polymerization to form stable nanosize capsules with enhanced storage stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses surfactants and stabilizers as intermediary substances during the encapsulation process. These intermediaries facilitate the formation and stabilization of nanosized monomer particles, control the polymerization reaction, and prevent aggregation during capsule formation, thereby simplifying the overall process while achieving high stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This process efficiently encapsulates reactive chemicals within polymer shells, achieving high encapsulation efficiency and producing nanoparticles suitable for controlled release under specific conditions, enhancing storage stability and application in various products.

Implementation Method 1

providing a mixture comprising monomer, initiator or catalyst to aid polymerization, reactive chemical, surfactant and water; shearing the mixture to form a miniemulsion of nanosized particles dispersed in water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

heating the miniemulsion to polymerize the monomer and produce filled nanoparticles comprising a nanosized polymer shell encapsulating the reactive chemical

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS9187577B2Filled nanoparticles having an alkylene carbonate core and polymeric shell

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 BATTELLE MEMORIAL INST

AI summary

A filled nanoparticle includes a nanosized polymer shell encapsulating a reactive chemical. In another aspect, a filled nanoparticle includes a nanosized polymer shell encapsulating a core which includes a reactive functional group attached to a polymer. A miniemulsion polymerization process of producing filled nanoparticles includes: providing a mixture comprising monomer, initiator or catalyst to aid polymerization, reactive chemical, surfactant and water; shearing the mixture to form a miniemulsion of nanosized particles dispersed in water, the nanosized particles comprising the monomer combined with the reactive chemical; and then heating the miniemulsion to polymerize the monomer and produce filled nanoparticles comprising a nanosized polymer shell encapsulating the reactive chemical.