Hyperbranched Phosphoric Acid Esters for Coating Dispersants
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Solution Overview
Problem
The preparation of dispersing agents for pigments and fillers is often time-consuming and costly, requiring multistep reactions and high amounts of chemicals and solvents, which complicates modification for specific applications and results in suboptimal mechanical and optical properties in coatings and paints.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the reaction of hyperbranched polymers with terminal hydroxyl groups and phosphoric acid ester-forming compounds, such as polyphosphoric acid, to produce hyperbranched phosphoric acid esters, which allows for a one-step, cost-efficient preparation with adjustable functionality and improved rheology and solubility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If common dispersing agents (surfactants or polymers) are used, then the energy required for dispersion is reduced, but the solid substances tend to reagglomerate due to desorption of the dispersing agent
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersing agent is segmented into multiple functional units: a polymeric backbone providing structural stability, grafted phosphoric acid ester groups providing strong adsorption to solid substances, and pendant carboxylic acid groups providing additional anchoring points. This segmentation allows different parts of the molecule to perform different functions simultaneously, preventing reagglomeration while maintaining low dispersion energy requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The dispersing agent is a composite structure combining polymeric chains with grafted phosphoric acid ester and carboxylic acid functional groups. This composite architecture integrates the advantages of polymer flexibility with the strong adsorption capabilities of phosphoric and carboxylic acid groups, creating a dispersing agent that resists desorption and prevents reagglomeration
2Reliability
If multistep reactions are used to prepare dispersing agents, then the dispersing properties can be improved, but the preparation time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple synthetic steps into a single reaction step by using a hyperbranched polymer with terminal hydroxyl groups that can simultaneously react with phosphoric acid ester-forming compounds and carboxylic acid-containing compounds. This convergence of steps reduces preparation time while maintaining the complex functional structure needed for effective dispersing properties
Solution Approach 2:
The hyperbranched polymer is pre-synthesized with terminal hydroxyl groups in a controlled manner, creating a ready-to-use scaffold that can be rapidly functionalized in a single subsequent step. This preliminary preparation of the polymer backbone eliminates the need for stepwise construction of the entire dispersing agent structure during the final synthesis
3Ease of manufacture
If multistep reactions with high amounts of chemicals and solvents are used, then the dispersing agent can be prepared, but the mechanical and optical properties of the resulting coatings deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the dispersing agent by incorporating phosphoric acid ester groups with specific chain lengths and carboxylic acid groups in controlled ratios. These parameter changes optimize the balance between ease of manufacture and coating performance, ensuring that the dispersing agent provides effective dispersion without compromising the mechanical strength and optical properties of the final coating
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 yields dispersing agents with balanced mechanical and optical properties, reducing viscosity and maintaining high gloss and color strength in coatings and paints, while minimizing the use of chemicals and solvents.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the at least one hyperbranched polymer of step a) with the at least one phosphoric acid ester-forming compound of step b) such as to obtain the hyperbranched phosphoric acid ester
Implementation Method 2
adsorption layers in the form of such dispersing agents are provided on the solid substance's surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a process for preparing hyperbranched phosphoric acid esters as well as a hyperbranched phosphoric acid ester, its use for dispersing solid substances and in the production of water- and/or solvent-based coatings and paints, printing inks and/or plastics such as unsaturated polyesters, PVC or plastisols and a pigment dispersion comprising the at least one hyperbranched phosphoric acid ester or salt thereof and its use as a component in paints or lacquers.