Layered Silicate Partial Amino Acid Modification for Easy Delamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing layered silicates that are completely replaced with protonated amino acids do not delaminate into single clay lamellae easily, affecting their barrier properties, and current processes are not economically viable.

Innovation Solution

A layered silicate with interlayer cations comprising inorganic monovalent cations (Na+, K+, Li+) and organic cations (protonated amino acids) in a specific molar ratio (0.20:0.80 to 0.80:0.20) that allows for easy and spontaneous delamination into single lamellae, prepared through a process involving heating a mixture of Na, Mg, and Li compounds with Si, followed by partial exchange with protonated amino acids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complete replacement of inorganic interlayer cations with protonated amino acids is performed, then organic modification is achieved, but delamination into single clay lamellae is difficult and barrier properties are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorganic modificationVSAvoidbarrier properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing incomplete cation exchange, where only a portion of the inorganic interlayer cations are replaced with protonated amino acids. This partial modification (retaining some inorganic cations) enables both organic functionality and effective delamination into single lamellae, thereby maintaining barrier properties while achieving organic modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Adaptability or versatility

If complete replacement of inorganic interlayer cations with protonated amino acids is performed, then organic modification is achieved, but delamination process is not spontaneous and requires additional processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorganic modificationVSAvoiddelamination process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By performing partial cation exchange rather than complete replacement, the patent creates an optimal balance where the remaining inorganic cations provide sufficient electrostatic repulsion to enable spontaneous delamination, while the introduced protonated amino acids provide the desired organic modification and functional properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If complete replacement of inorganic interlayer cations with protonated amino acids is performed, then organic modification is achieved, but processing costs increase and economic viability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorganic modificationVSAvoidprocessing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The partial cation exchange approach reduces processing costs by requiring less amino acid material and shorter reaction times compared to complete exchange. The process achieves sufficient organic modification with partial replacement, making the overall process more economically viable while maintaining effective delamination and barrier properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Ease of operation

If partial exchange of inorganic interlayer cations with protonated amino acids is performed, then delamination into single lamellae is achieved, but degree of organic modification is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedelaminationVSAvoidorganic modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the cation exchange ratio parameter to achieve the optimal balance between delamination efficiency and organic modification degree. By carefully controlling the amount of protonated amino acids introduced (partial exchange), the process achieves both effective delamination into single lamellae and sufficient organic modification for desired functional properties.

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 layered silicate effectively delaminates into single lamellae, enhancing barrier properties and can be produced economically, improving gas and liquid barrier properties in polymer and coating layers.

Implementation Method 1

the interlayer cations comprise a) inorganic monovalent cations comprising at least one of Na+, K+, and Li+, and b) organic cations comprising at least one protonated amino acid, wherein the molar ratio of the inorganic monovalent cations a) to organic cations b) is in the range of 0.20:0.80 to 0.80:0.20

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

The layered silicate of the invention easily, and in many cases spontaneously, delaminates into single lamellae

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDelamination:

Data Source

PatentUS12378129B2Layered silicate partially modified with amino acid
Publication Date: 2025.08.05 BYK CHEMIE GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a layered silicate having interlayer cations, wherein the interlayer cations comprise a) inorganic monovalent cations comprising at least one of Na+, K+, and Li+, and b) organic cations comprising at least one protonated amino acid.