Hierarchical Titanium Oxide Composites for Agent-Free Dry Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing titanium oxide composite pigments require dispersing agents and aqueous milling processes, which can lead to aggregation and increased costs, and do not effectively enhance opacifying properties in paints and plastics.

Innovation Solution

A dry milling process with low moisture content (<0.05%) disperses titanium oxide particles isotropically on mineral cores without dispersing agents, resulting in a composite material with improved light interaction and opacifying properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If aqueous milling processes with dispersing agents are used to prepare titanium oxide composite pigments, then the particles can be dispersed on mineral supports, but aggregation occurs and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispersing agent usageVSAvoidparticle dispersion stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the dispersing agent component from the system by using a completely dry milling process. The dry environment prevents particle aggregation without requiring any chemical dispersing agents, thus resolving the contradiction between eliminating substances and maintaining dispersion stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the moisture parameter from aqueous conditions to completely dry conditions (<0.05% moisture content). This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction between particles and mineral supports, enabling stable dispersion without dispersing agents through enhanced electrostatic attraction in the dry state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional milling methods are used, then composite materials can be prepared, but the opacifying properties are not effectively enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidvisible light reflectance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a discontinuous layer of titanium oxide particles specifically on the surface of mineral cores, rather than uniform distribution throughout. This localized surface concentration optimizes light interaction and opacifying properties while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials by combining titanium oxide particles with mineral cores (calcium carbonate, talc, etc.) in a hierarchical structure. This composite approach enhances visible light reflectance and opacifying character beyond what conventional homogeneous mixtures achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If dispersing agents are used in aqueous milling, then particle distribution can be improved, but the complexity of the process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle distribution uniformityVSAvoidprocess steps and materials
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes dispersing agents and aqueous processing steps from the manufacturing process. The dry milling approach achieves particle distribution uniformity through mechanical forces alone, eliminating the complexity associated with chemical additives and multiple processing stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables the system to self-organize particle distribution through dry milling forces without external chemical assistance. The particles naturally distribute on mineral surfaces through mechanical action in the dry state, eliminating the need for dispersing agents and simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 material achieves higher visible light reflectance and opacifying character, reducing titanium oxide usage and manufacturing costs while enhancing heat dissipation in paints and plastics.

Implementation Method 1

subjecting the mixture to mechanical forces, in particular by dry milling, so that the titanium oxide particles are dispersed isotropically on the surface of the particle forming the core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical forces: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The composite material achieves higher visible light reflectance and opacifying character, reducing titanium oxide usage and manufacturing costs while enhancing heat dissipation in paints and plastics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflectance: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4628548A1Titanium oxide hierarchical composite material dispersed in a mineral support and method for obtaining the same
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS (CSIC)
  • EP4628548A1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~2
  • EP4628548A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4628548A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hierarchical composite material comprising a discontinuous layer of titanium oxide particles dispersed on the surface of a core formed by a mineral particle. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining said material by applying mechanical forces to a dry mixture of titanium oxide particles and minerals. The product of the invention is useful as an opacifier and/or whitening agent in the formulation of paints and plastics.