Phosphoric Acid Ester Dispersants for Coating Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispersants fail to provide stable dispersion of solid substances in liquid media, leading to reagglomeration due to intermolecular forces, resulting in issues like increased viscosity, color shifts, and reduced mechanical strength in coatings and plastics.
Innovation Solution
Phosphoric acid esters with a specific formula, featuring a monohydroxyl residue and a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxy di-, tri- or multi-carboxylic acid residue, which are branched via esterification, providing improved dispersing properties by reducing intermolecular forces and stabilizing the dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional surfactants are used to reduce dispersing forces, then the energy required for dispersion is reduced, but the dispersion stability deteriorates due to reagglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the dispersant by using phosphoric acid esters with specific molecular structures containing polyether chains and phosphoric acid groups. This chemical parameter change enables the dispersant to provide both low dispersing energy and high dispersion stability through its unique amphiphilic structure and ability to form stable adsorption layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphoric acid ester dispersant combines multiple functional groups (polyether chains, phosphoric acid groups, and ester groups) into a single composite molecular structure. This composite structure allows the molecule to simultaneously provide steric stabilization through the polyether chains and electrostatic stabilization through the phosphoric acid groups, resolving the contradiction between energy reduction and stability maintenance.
2Ease of manufacture
If surfactants are used to facilitate incorporation of solid substances, then dispersing forces are reduced, but intermolecular attractive forces cause reagglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphoric acid ester acts as an intermediary substance between the solid pigment particles and the liquid medium. Its amphiphilic structure allows it to adsorb onto the solid particle surface while extending into the liquid medium, creating a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between solid particles and eliminates the need for high mechanical dispersing forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphoric acid ester forms a flexible adsorption layer or thin film around the solid pigment particles. This flexible shell provides steric hindrance that prevents particle aggregation while allowing the particles to move freely in the liquid medium, thus maintaining both ease of incorporation and resistance to intermolecular attractive forces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adsorption layers are provided on solid substances to nullify attractive forces, then reagglomeration is prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphoric acid ester dispersant is designed to automatically form stable adsorption layers on solid particle surfaces through self-assembly. The amphiphilic structure causes the molecules to spontaneously orient themselves with the hydrophilic portions adsorbing onto the solid surface and the hydrophobic portions extending into the liquid medium, eliminating the need for complex external processing or additional stabilizing agents.
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 phosphoric acid esters effectively reduce dispersing forces and enhance the stability of dispersions, improving the wetting of fillers and extenders, leading to better mechanical properties and reduced viscosity in coatings and plastics.
Implementation Method 1
In order to nullify these attractive forces, adsorption layers should be provided on the solid substances. This occurs through the use of such surfactants or polymers.
Implementation Method 2
This phenomenon can be explained by inter alia London/van der Waals' forces, by which the solid substances are mutually attracted.
Implementation Method 3
This depends to a large extent on the solid substance's wet ability by the surrounding medium, as well as on the affinity for this medium.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a phosphoric acid ester and salts thereof of the general formula (I), wherein A is a monohydroxyl residue derived from C1-C20-alkyl-(AO)x-OH or Acyl-(AO)x-OH; or C1-C20-alkyl-(AO)x-(HA)y-OH or Acyl-(AO)x-(HA)y-OH; or C1-C20-alkyl-(AO)x-(AA-AO)y-OH or Acyl-(AO)x-(AA-AO)y-OH; or MO-(HA)y-OH or MO-(AA-AO)y-OH; wherein Acyl is an aromatic carboxylic acid residue or a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue; AO is a polyC2-C4alkyleneglycol residue, HA is a hydroxycarboxylic acid or a lactone thereof, AA is a dicarboxylic acid, MO is a monoalcohol, x is 1 to 250, y is 1 to 250, B is a mono-, di-, or tri- or polyhydroxy di-, tri or multi-carboxylic acid residue which is linked via the hydroxy group to the phosphoric acid and via one of the carboxylic acid groups to the monohydroxyl residue [A], the remaining carboxyl acid group(s) is/are free or is/are esterified with a further monohydroxyl residue [A], resulting in branched esters; n is 1-2; m is 1-4. The phosphoric acid esters are used as wetting agent or dispersants.