Nanostructure Exchange from Aqueous to Organic Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for incorporating nanostructures into organic resin matrices from aqueous environments are inefficient due to multi-step surface treatments required for exchanging nanoparticles from aqueous to hydrophobic media, leading to irreversible aggregation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving pH adjustment of nanostructures in aqueous media to create a net ionic charge, followed by the addition of ionic surfactants to prevent aggregation, concentration, and subsequent exchange into organic media, where a coupling agent covalently bonds the nanostructures to a polymer resin network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If multi-step surface treatment is used to exchange nanoparticles from aqueous to hydrophobic media, then the nanoparticles can be incorporated into organic resin matrices, but the process complexity increases and irreversible aggregation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenanoparticle exchange processVSAvoidmulti-step surface treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an ionic surfactant as an intermediary substance to facilitate the exchange of nanoparticles from aqueous to organic media. The surfactant molecules adsorb onto the nanoparticle surfaces, providing a bridge between the hydrophilic nanoparticle surface and the hydrophobic organic resin matrix, thereby simplifying the exchange process while preventing aggregation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pH adjustment as a parameter change to control the surface charge of nanoparticles. By adjusting the pH to provide a net ionic charge on the nanoparticle surface, the process enables effective surfactant adsorption and subsequent exchange into organic media, reducing the need for multiple treatment steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenanoparticle exchange processVSAvoidnanoparticle dispersion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ionic surfactant acts as a protective intermediary that adsorbs onto nanoparticle surfaces during the exchange process, creating a steric and electrostatic barrier that prevents direct nanoparticle-nanoparticle contact and thus prevents irreversible aggregation while enabling successful incorporation into the resin matrix

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-treating nanoparticle surfaces with ionic surfactants before incorporating them into the organic resin matrix. This pre-treatment creates a protective layer that anticipates and prevents aggregation issues that would otherwise occur during the exchange and incorporation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Stability of the object's composition

If pH adjustment and ionic surfactant addition are used, then nanostructure dispersion in organic media is improved, but the process steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenanostructure dispersionVSAvoidprocess steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single ionic surfactant treatment step. The surfactant simultaneously provides surface charge modification, aggregation prevention, and organic media compatibility, thereby improving nanostructure dispersion while minimizing the number of separate process steps required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 allows for direct and efficient dispersion of nanostructures into organic media, preventing aggregation and ensuring uniform covalent attachment to polymer resins, enhancing the homogeneity and durability of nanostructure-polymer composites.

Implementation Method 1

adjusting the pH of the aqueous liquid media to provide a net ionic charge on a surface of the nanostructures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

incorporating an ionic surfactant into the said aqueous liquid media wherein the level of ionic surfactant is sufficient to reduce the nanostructure's irreversible aggregation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic repulsion: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 3

A coupling agent can be introduced into the organic phase that is capable of covalent attachment to the nanostructure surface while providing a functional group capable of polymerization to covalently bond the nanostructures to a selected monomer and/or polymer resin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS8415491B2Surface treatment and exchange of nanostructures from aqueous suspension into organic media and into polymer-matrix composites

Publication Date: 2013.04.09 SOUTHWEST RES INST

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a method of exchanging nanostructures from within aqueous liquid media into organic liquid media. The steps comprise first supplying solid nanostructures in an aqueous liquid media, adjusting the pH, incorporating an ionic surfactant sufficient to reduce nanostructure aggregation, followed by concentrating the nanostructures in the aqueous liquid media. The nanostructures may them be placed in organic liquid media followed by introduction of a coupling agent capable of covalent attachment to the nanostructure surface while providing a functional group capable of polymerization to covalently bond the nanostructures to a selected monomer and/or polymer resin.