pH-Responsive Binding Particles for Coating Hiding Power and Grit Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paint formulations face challenges in achieving high hiding power due to uncontrolled agglomeration and flocculation of components, leading to reduced hiding power and increased grit formation, which is difficult to manage with current methods that rely on air voids, surface modifications, and functionalized latex particles.

Innovation Solution

The development of Integrated Inorganic Systems (IIS) formed within a specific pH range, using binding particles with pH-responsive groups that form robust chemical bonds with inorganic particles, ensuring preferred spacing and reduced grit formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If functionalized latex solid particles are added to bind to inorganic particles, then hiding power is enhanced, but uncontrolled strong binding leads to grit formation and reduced gloss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehiding powerVSAvoidgrit formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing pH-responsive groups that alter their binding characteristics in response to pH changes during drying. The binding strength is dynamically adjusted from strong (at low pH during drying) to weak (at high pH in the can), enabling controlled binding that prevents grit formation while maintaining hiding power enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by using pH-responsive functional groups whose binding affinity changes dynamically with pH. This allows the system to transition from a high-binding state during drying (preventing grit) to a low-binding state in storage (maintaining stability), resolving the contradiction between achieving strong binding for hiding power and avoiding uncontrolled strong binding that causes grit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If functionalized latex particles are used to bind inorganic particles, then component spacing is improved, but uncontrolled associations reduce gloss and scrub resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent spacingVSAvoidgloss and scrub resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes through pH-responsive groups that modulate binding strength based on pH conditions. During drying, the pH shift triggers strong binding for precise component spacing, while in the finished coating at stable pH, binding is reduced to maintain gloss and scrub resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between spacing precision and coating durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If pH-responsive groups are used to form chemical bonds during drying, then hiding power is maximized, but process control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehiding powerVSAvoidprocess control
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by utilizing the natural pH change that occurs during coating drying to trigger bond formation. The system automatically transitions from unbound to bound state without external pH control mechanisms, simplifying process control while achieving maximum hiding power through pH-responsive binding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-equipping the latex particles with pH-responsive functional groups that are dormant during manufacturing but activate automatically during drying. This preliminary preparation enables automatic bond formation in response to pH changes, maximizing hiding power without adding complex process control requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Illumination intensity

If strong binding between functionalized particles and inorganic particles is achieved, then hiding power increases, but grit formation and uncontrolled agglomeration occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehiding powerVSAvoidcomposition uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics through pH-responsive binding that transitions from weak (during manufacturing and storage) to strong (during drying). This dynamic behavior enables strong binding for hiding power enhancement only when needed, while maintaining composition uniformity during other stages, thus resolving the contradiction between hiding power and composition stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 IIS approach enhances hiding power and maintains optimal component spacing, reducing grit formation and process control complexity, resulting in improved coating performance.

Implementation Method 1

binding particles functionalized with pH responsive groups that enable controlled chemical binding to components such as inorganic particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH-responsive chemical binding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The size of the voids contributes to the organization of coating particles and enhances total hiding power based on the cumulative effect of Mie scattering and reduction of the apparent refractive index of the coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMie scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

Other methods modify the surface of inorganic particles with functional spacers to create steric hindrance or electrostatic repulsion between components of a composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteric hindrance:

Implementation Method 4

Other methods modify the surface of inorganic particles with functional spacers to create steric hindrance or electrostatic repulsion between components of a composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic repulsion: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentEP3116957B1Tailored dispersion and formation of integrated particle systems via PH responsive groups
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 THE CHEMOURS CO FC LLC
  • EP3116957B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3116957B1 patent drawing

AI summary

This invention provides methods and technology related to increased hiding power of a coating through mediating the interaction of the pigment with other system components including but not limited to other pigment particles, latex paint particles, latex binding particles, and organic or inorganic hollow particles. Organization and spacing are tailored via pH sensitive functionalities hosted on ligands or polymeric spacers that are located at/within the surface of one of the components.