Polymeric Encapsulated Titanium Oxide Pigment Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paint compositions face challenges with non-uniform dispersion of titanium dioxide pigment particles, leading to reduced hiding power and increased costs due to the need for pretreatment, which affects light scattering effectiveness and aesthetic properties.

Innovation Solution

The method involves attaching initiators to pretreated titanium oxide particles to form initiator/pretreated titanium oxide complexes, followed by surface-initiated polymerization to create a polymeric encapsulant, resulting in improved pigment spacing and reduced material usage through the formation of a grafted polymer shell around the particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If titanium dioxide is pretreated with various oxides to improve masking properties, then hiding power is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehiding powerVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A polymeric encapsulant acts as an intermediary layer between the pretreated titanium dioxide particles and the paint matrix. This polymer shell maintains the spacing and dispersion of particles without requiring additional expensive oxide treatments, thereby preserving hiding power while reducing material costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a thin polymeric film/encapsulant around the titanium dioxide particles. This flexible polymer shell provides the necessary spacing and steric stabilization to maintain uniform particle distribution, achieving good hiding power with reduced pigment loading and lower overall cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If titanium dioxide particles are used to enhance visual hide and aesthetic effect, then hiding power is improved, but non-uniform dispersion occurs leading to reduced aesthetic properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehiding powerVSAvoiduniformity of dispersion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The polymeric encapsulant forms a flexible protective shell around each titanium dioxide particle. This polymer coating provides steric stabilization that prevents particle aggregation and maintains uniform dispersion throughout the paint, ensuring both aesthetic properties and consistent hiding power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where the titanium dioxide core is combined with a polymeric encapsulant shell. This composite particle design integrates the light-scattering properties of TiO2 with the dispersion-stabilizing properties of the polymer, achieving both uniform distribution and effective hiding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If more titanium dioxide is used to improve masking properties, then hiding power increases, but the amount of material required increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehiding powerVSAvoidamount of titanium dioxide
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The polymeric encapsulant creates an effective optical interface that enhances the light-scattering efficiency of each titanium dioxide particle. By optimizing the polymer shell thickness and refractive index matching, the system achieves maximum hiding power with minimal pigment loading, reducing the total amount of titanium dioxide required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes parameters such as polymer shell thickness, crosslinking density, and polymer chemistry to maximize the hiding power per unit of titanium dioxide. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves superior performance with reduced pigment content, lowering material costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach enhances pigment dispersion, reduces material costs by 10% for equal hiding ability, and provides controllability and flexibility in polymer shell thickness and functionality, improving hiding power and aesthetic properties.

Implementation Method 1

the polymeric encapsulant provides increased pigment spacing through a steric effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteric hindrance:

Implementation Method 2

attaching initiators to pretreated titanium oxide particles to form initiator/pretreated titanium oxide complexes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

surface-initiated polymerization to create a polymeric encapsulant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP2518118B1Titanium oxide spacing by SIP
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 BEHR PROCESS CORP
  • EP2518118B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2518118B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2518118B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method of making a titanium oxide-containing coating composition comprises attaching an initiator to a pretreated titanium oxide to form an initiator/pretreated titanium oxide complex. The pretreated titanium oxide includes a plurality of pretreated titanium oxide particles which are titanium oxide particles that are pretreated with at least one metal oxide. The initiator/pretreated titanium oxide complex is contacted with a polymerizable unsaturated monomer such that a polymeric encapsulate forms on the initiator/pretreated titanium oxide particles to form polymeric encapsulated titanium oxide particles.