Hollow Core-Shell Emulsion Particles with Osmotic Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing hollow organic core-shell particles with thin shells tend to collapse upon drying unless high amounts of crosslinker are used, which is economically and ecologically undesirable.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating nonionic polyalkylene oxide additives in the core of emulsion polymer particles during a multistaged sequential polymerization process, allowing for the production of particles with improved structural integrity and scattering efficiency without the need for excessive crosslinker, enabling thinner shells and increased voidage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high amounts of crosslinker are used in the outermost shell, then the shell structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing cost and ecological impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
A polyalkylene oxide-containing additive is introduced as an intermediary substance in the core of the core-shell particle. This additive mediates between the core and shell, providing structural support that prevents shell collapse during drying without requiring excessive crosslinker in the shell, thereby resolving the contradiction between shell integrity and manufacturing cost/ecological impact
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the core by incorporating polyalkylene oxide-containing additives. This parameter change in the core composition enables the thin shell to maintain structural integrity during drying without requiring high crosslinker content, thus resolving the contradiction
2Reliability
If more than 10 wt % crosslinker is used in the outermost shell, then the shell stability during drying is improved, but the quantity of substance required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polyalkylene oxide-containing additive in the core acts as an intermediary that provides internal support to the shell structure. This intermediary mechanism enables the shell to maintain stability during drying with reduced crosslinker content (below 10 wt %), resolving the contradiction between shell stability and crosslinker quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the shell support function from the crosslinker and relocates it to the core by introducing polyalkylene oxide-containing additives. This extraction reduces the crosslinker burden in the shell while maintaining shell stability, resolving the contradiction
3Illumination intensity
If the shell is made thinner to increase voidage, then the scattering efficiency is improved, but the shell tends to collapse upon drying
Solution Approach 1:
The polyalkylene oxide-containing additive in the core serves as an intermediary support structure that enables the shell to be made thinner for improved light scattering while preventing collapse during drying. The intermediary provides internal reinforcement without requiring shell thickening
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the core composition to include polyalkylene oxide-containing additives, the invention enables the shell thickness parameter to be reduced for improved scattering efficiency while maintaining structural integrity through the modified core properties
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 method results in emulsion polymer particles with enhanced whiteness and scattering efficiency, overcoming the issue of shell collapse and reducing the amount of crosslinker required, leading to improved performance in applications such as paints and cosmetic compositions.
Implementation Method 1
the procedure which is preferred for ecological as well as economic reasons is that of osmotically swelling specific core-shell particles
Implementation Method 2
Owing to this construction, they have the special property of scattering light, explaining their use as white pigment in paints, paper coatings and cosmetic compositions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of producing emulsion polymer particles having a core-shell structure wherein at least one polyalkylene oxide containing additive is used in the core, and also to their use in paints, paper coatings, foams, crop protection agents, liquid inks and cosmetic compositions.