Layered Silicate Granules with Central Recesses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing layered silicate powder granules are limited to spherical, petal-like, or hollow particles without openings, which restricts their application in liquid chromatography, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals due to reduced separation efficiency and difficulty in microencapsulation.

Innovation Solution

Production of flat particles with an opening or recess in the surface center using an evaporation-spray drying process, incorporating a rheology modifier to modify the crystal edge face of layered silicates, resulting in a specific surface area 1.1 to 2.0 times that of a sphere with the same volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If spherical particle size is reduced to increase specific surface area, then separation efficiency is improved, but particle size becomes excessively small causing clogging and reduced processing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific surface areaVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from spherical particles to flat particles with a different geometric dimensionality. This shape change allows the particles to maintain higher specific surface area while avoiding the clogging issues associated with excessively small spherical particles, as the flat morphology provides different flow characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces asymmetry by creating flat particles with openings or recesses in their surface centers, rather than using symmetric spherical shapes. This asymmetric structure with central openings enables both high surface area and improved flow properties, resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional hollow particles are used for microencapsulation, then substance insertion is difficult without openings, but creating openings reduces structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicroencapsulation capabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by forming the openings or recesses in the particle structure during the particle formation process itself, rather than attempting to create openings afterward. This preliminary formation of openings maintains structural integrity while enabling microencapsulation functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by creating openings or recesses specifically in the surface centers of flat particles, rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized approach provides access for substance insertion while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the particle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 flat particles provide enhanced functional powders for chromatography, drug delivery, catalysts, and biologically active agent protection, with controlled particle size distribution and increased porosity, enabling efficient microencapsulation and improved processing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

evaporation-spray drying process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

spraying of droplets of a ceramic fluid raw material and drying them by contact with a high-temperature air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray drying:

Implementation Method 3

incorporating a rheology modifier to modify the crystal edge face of layered silicates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRheology modification:

Implementation Method 4

a specific surface area 1.1 to 2.0 times that of a sphere with the same volume

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3514112B1Layered silicate powder granules and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 NAT INST FOR MATERIALS SCI
  • EP3514112B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3514112B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3514112B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The invention has for its object to use an evaporation-spray drying process thereby providing layered silicate powder granules, each one containing a flat particle having an opening or recess in its surface center. Each of the layered silicate powder granule contains a flat particle comprising a layered silicate formed by evaporation-spray drying and a rheology modifier for modifying the crystal edge face of the layered silicate and having an opening or recess in its surface center.