Phosphoric Acid Ester Dispersants for Resin Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Phosphoric acid esters face performance challenges in various resin systems and pigments, particularly in dispersion of transparent iron oxide in saturated polyester or hydroxy acrylic resin systems, due to high viscosity, gloss variations, and color instability, and are often toxic, limiting their use in modern binding resins and plastic systems.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel phosphoric acid esters with a specific molecular structure (Formula I or II) and a process involving reaction of alkyl or aryl epoxides with mono- or diphosphate esters, resulting in high-performing polymeric phosphate esters with reduced acidity and 100% active liquid form, avoiding alkyl phenol ethoxylates, which are toxic and poorly compatible in modern systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional phosphoric acid esters are used as dispersants, then dispersion capability is improved, but viscosity increases and stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters of phosphoric acid esters by introducing specific alkyl groups (C12-C20), cycloaliphatic groups, and aromatic groups with defined chain lengths and configurations. This structural parameter optimization enables the dispersant to maintain low viscosity while providing stable dispersion through improved compatibility with modern resin systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite molecular structures combining phosphoric acid ester core with diverse hydrophobic groups (alkyl, cycloaliphatic, aromatic) and functional groups. This composite approach yields a dispersant that simultaneously provides steric stabilization, electrostatic repulsion, and compatibility with various resin matrices, resolving the viscosity-stability contradiction.
2Reliability
If existing phosphoric acid esters are used, then dispersion is enhanced, but gloss and color consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific local structural features including cycloaliphatic groups and aromatic groups with defined substitution patterns at strategic positions of the molecular structure. These local quality modifications create optimal interaction zones that provide uniform steric stabilization and electrostatic repulsion, ensuring consistent gloss and color properties across different applications.
3Reliability
If traditional dispersants are used, then particle integration is improved, but toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic, persistent traditional dispersants (such as alkyl phenol ethoxylates) with biodegradable phosphoric acid esters featuring natural alkyl, cycloaliphatic, and aromatic groups. These newer compounds provide equivalent or superior dispersion performance while being environmentally friendly and non-toxic, aligning with modern regulatory requirements and sustainability goals.
4Productivity
If high solids content is used in dispersion, then productivity is improved, but viscosity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes phosphoric acid esters with molecular structures that provide continuous steric stabilization and electrostatic repulsion throughout the dispersion system. This continuous protective action prevents particle aggregation even at high solids content, maintaining low viscosity and enabling high productivity applications in modern resin systems and plastic formulations.
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 new phosphoric acid esters effectively disperse particles in liquid media, maintaining low viscosity and stability, improving gloss and color consistency in paints and coatings, and are recyclable, addressing the limitations of existing esters in modern resin systems.
Implementation Method 1
dispersing agents are used to overcome mutual forces of attraction of dispersed solids preventing their re-agglomerate after the dispersion process by forming an adsorption layer on surface of solid particles counteracting these attraction forces
Implementation Method 2
Dispersants, which aid in the assimilation of solids into the medium, are commonly used to lessen these dispersing forces
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a phosphoric acid ester of Formula (I) or (II), wherein: A, B and R represents an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/ or aromatic moiety; Q represents —CH2—, —O— or —COO—; n+m is inferior to 3; and X+Y is less than 7, and wherein the phosphoric acid ester has an average molecular weight Mn of 70 to 10,000 g/mol. The invention also concern the process for making the phosphoric acid ester of Formula (I) or (II), and there us as dispersants of particles in a liquid medium, such as water, solvent, plasticizer or resin. Advantageously, the process allows the preparation of new high performing polymeric phosphate esters with less acidic character that are majorly a phosphate diester. Also, a 100% active liquid solvent free polyester phosphate ester can be effectively prepared.