Nanoparticle-in-oil dispersion via W/O emulsion boiling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing nanoparticle-in-oil dispersions are limited by low production efficiency and concentration of water-soluble substances, requiring gentle dewatering conditions that prolong processing time and increase energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the preparation of a W/O emulsion-type precursor with a surfactant concentration of 5-50 wt% in the oil phase, followed by boiling to reduce particle size and dewater the aqueous phase, allowing for the production of nanoparticles with an average diameter of 30-500 nm without relying on porous membranes, and enabling repeated emulsification and boiling steps to increase substance concentration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If gentle dewatering conditions are used to maintain nanoparticle stability, then particle size control is improved, but processing time increases and production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle size controlVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the dewatering parameter from gentle conditions to boiling conditions, which allows for rapid water removal while maintaining nanoparticle stability. The boiling process provides sufficient energy to evaporate water quickly without causing nanoparticle aggregation, thus resolving the contradiction between processing speed and particle size control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through boiling. This phase transition enables rapid and complete dewatering of the W/O emulsion precursor, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining nanoparticle integrity. The boiling process removes water efficiently without requiring prolonged gentle dewatering conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Stability of the object's composition

If low concentration of water-soluble substance is used in W/O emulsion to prevent coalescence, then nanoparticle stability is improved, but the quantity of nanoparticles obtained is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenanoparticle stabilityVSAvoidquantity of nanoparticles
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary emulsification to create a stable W/O emulsion precursor with uniformly distributed aqueous phase droplets. This preliminary action ensures that even at higher concentrations, the nanoparticles remain stable during the dewatering process. The surfactant is pre-added to the oil phase to ensure stable emulsion formation before dewatering, allowing higher concentrations without coalescence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If repeated emulsification and boiling steps are performed to increase substance concentration, then nanoparticle concentration is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstance concentrationVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables continuous processing by repeating the emulsification and boiling steps. Each cycle increases the nanoparticle concentration in the oil phase, and the process can be continued until the desired concentration is achieved. This continuous useful action allows for flexible concentration control without requiring complex equipment, simply by repeating the proven effective steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 method efficiently produces nanoparticles with uniform particle sizes, reduces processing time, and potentially lowers energy consumption, making it suitable for industrial-scale production of pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, and other applications.

Implementation Method 1

a step of obtaining a nanoparticle-in-oil dispersion in which the fine particles are dispersed in the oil phase by boiling the aqueous phase of the W/O emulsion-type precursor to perform particle size reduction and dewatering of the aqueous phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBoiling: Boiling

Implementation Method 2

the water-soluble substance can be dispersed stably in an oil phase by causing a surfactant to coexist with the microparticles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

preparing a W/O emulsion-type precursor in which an aqueous phase in the form of droplets of an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble substance dissolved therein is dispersed in an oil phase containing an oil and a surfactant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentEP3251740B1Method of producing nanoparticle-in-oil dispersion
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 MIYAZAKI PREFECTURE
  • EP3251740B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3251740B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3251740B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a method suitable for industrial-scale production of a dispersion in which nano-sized particles are dispersed. A method for producing a nanoparticle-in-oil dispersion in which fine particles made up of a solid component, an aqueous liquid component or a mixture thereof are dispersed in an oil phase, includes: (1) a step of preparing a W/O emulsion-type precursor in which an aqueous phase in the form of droplets of an aqueous solution having a water-soluble substance dissolved therein is dispersed in an oil phase; and (2) a step of boiling the aqueous phase of the W/O emulsion-type precursor, to obtain a nanoparticle-in-oil dispersion in which the fine particles are dispersed in the oil phase.