Hollow Particles with Hybrid Vinyl Shell for Pinhole Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hollow particles used in optical scattering materials and heat insulating materials often generate pinholes in their shells, leading to infiltration of binders and reduced performance in light scattering, heat insulation, and reflectivity, as well as low dispersibility.

Innovation Solution

Development of hollow particles with a shell composed of an organic-inorganic hybrid vinyl-based resin, specifically a silicon-containing vinyl-based resin derived from copolymers with epoxy or oxetane groups and silyl groups, which have a controlled particle size and low pinhole formation, enhancing monodispersibility and film properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hollow particles are used in optical scattering and heat insulating materials, then they provide basic functionality, but pinholes form in the shell causing binder infiltration and reduced performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance stabilityVSAvoidpinhole formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an organic-inorganic hybrid shell structure combining silane-modified polymer and inorganic oxide particles. This composite material approach creates a dense, pinhole-free shell that prevents binder infiltration while maintaining the hollow particle's light scattering and heat insulating properties. The inorganic oxide network provides structural integrity that eliminates pinhole defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the shell composition by incorporating silane groups that undergo crosslinking reactions. This chemical parameter change transforms the shell from a conventional polymer structure to a crosslinked organic-inorganic hybrid structure, which densifies the shell matrix and eliminates pinhole formation, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If hollow particles are used in binders, then they provide optical scattering and heat insulation, but dispersibility is reduced due to pinhole formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoiddispersibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The organic-inorganic hybrid shell with crosslinked structure provides both functional performance and improved dispersibility. The inorganic oxide particles create a rigid framework that prevents shell collapse during dispersion, while the polymer matrix ensures compatibility with binder systems, achieving both reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The crosslinking degree and inorganic oxide content are optimized to balance shell density with dispersibility. The modified shell structure maintains functional integrity for optical scattering and heat insulation while improving compatibility and dispersion stability in binder systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If binder infiltrates through pinholes in hollow particle shells, then the structure remains simple, but light scattering, heat insulation, and reflectivity properties are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshell structureVSAvoidoptical and thermal performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an organic-inorganic hybrid composite shell that provides superior barrier properties against binder infiltration. The inorganic oxide network creates a tortuous path that blocks binder penetration, while the polymer matrix maintains structural continuity, preserving optical scattering, heat insulation, and reflectivity properties without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The crosslinking density and inorganic content are adjusted to create a shell with optimal barrier properties. This parameter optimization prevents binder infiltration while maintaining the simple hollow particle morphology, thereby preserving optical and thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional hollow particles are used, then production is straightforward, but monodispersibility and film uniformity are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidmonodispersibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes polymerization conditions and shell composition parameters to achieve uniform particle size and monodispersibility. The silane-modified polymer structure allows controlled crosslinking that stabilizes particle morphology during formation, improving manufacturing precision while maintaining ease of production through conventional emulsion polymerization techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 hollow particles exhibit reduced pinhole formation, improved monodispersibility, and enhanced film properties with low reflectivity and heat conductivity, making them suitable for applications in antireflection and heat insulating films.

Implementation Method 1

a crosslinked copolymer derived from a copolymer including at least one radical reactive monomer having an epoxy group or an oxetane group, and at least one radical reactive monomer having a silyl group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadical polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

a crosslinked copolymer derived from a copolymer including at least one radical reactive monomer having an epoxy group or an oxetane group, and at least one radical reactive monomer having a silyl group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

The hollow particles exhibit reduced pinhole formation, improved monodispersibility, and enhanced film properties with low reflectivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 4

enhanced film properties with low reflectivity and heat conductivity, making them suitable for applications in antireflection and heat insulating films

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3162434B1Hollow particles
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 SEKISUI PLASTICS CO LTD
  • EP3162434B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3162434B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3162434B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided are hollow particles each having a shell including at least one layer, wherein the hollow particles have an average particle diameter of 10 to 200 nm and the at least one layer contains a vinyl-based resin.