Silane Crosslinking Catalyst Compatibility with Fillers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The compatibility between surfactant interacting additives like titanium dioxide and calcium carbonate, and silanol condensation catalysts of the Brönstedt acid type, results in inefficient crosslinking of polymers, particularly when used in hot water baths, due to the catalyst's interaction with non-polar polymer matrices.
Innovation Solution
A polymer composition incorporating 0.01 to 5% by weight of surfactant interacting additives with specific Brönstedt acid type silanol condensation catalysts, such as C12-alkylated naphthyl sulfonic acids or their derivatives, which enhance crosslinking performance by maintaining catalyst availability within the polymer matrix.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If surfactant interacting additives like titanium dioxide and calcium carbonate are used in polymer compositions with silanol condensation catalysts, then colour coverage and opacity of processed articles are improved, but crosslinking efficiency deteriorates due to catalyst deactivation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific Brönstedt acid type silanol condensation catalyst as an intermediary that mediates between the surfactant interacting additives (titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate) and the silane groups. This catalyst is specifically selected to maintain its catalytic activity in the presence of these additives, thereby enabling both good colour coverage and efficient crosslinking simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of catalyst type from conventional silanol condensation catalysts to specific Brönstedt acid type catalysts. This parameter change allows the system to tolerate the presence of surfactant interacting additives while maintaining crosslinking efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction between colour coverage and crosslinking efficiency.
2Speed
If conventional silanol condensation catalysts are used in hot water baths, then crosslinking process is accelerated, but catalyst availability deteriorates due to interaction with non-polar polymer matrices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the catalyst from conventional types to specific Brönstedt acid type catalysts. This parameter change ensures that the catalyst maintains its availability and activity even in hot water baths, preventing the harmful interaction with non-polar polymer matrices that occurs with conventional catalysts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a catalyst system that is designed to be effective under specific conditions (hot water baths) without requiring long-term stability. The Brönstedt acid type catalyst performs its function efficiently during the crosslinking process in hot water baths, achieving the desired crosslinking rate while maintaining sufficient availability throughout the process.
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 polymer composition achieves efficient crosslinking reactions, even in hot water baths, by ensuring the catalyst's compatibility with the polymer matrix and prolonged availability for catalysis, thereby meeting crosslinking requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The crosslinking of polymer compositions comprising hydrolysable silane groups with catalysts is known in the art... acidic silanol condensation catalysts permit crosslinking of silane-containing polymer compositions already at room temperature
Implementation Method 2
hydrolysable silane groups... crosslinking reactions... hydrolysis and condensation of silane groups
Implementation Method 3
surfactant interacting additives which may be represented by, for example, pigments... deactivating the crosslinking ability of silanol condensation catalysts
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a polymer composition comprising a surfactant interacting additive, and wherein the polymer composition further comprises at least one silanol condensation catalyst, wherein each catalyst is selected from: i) a compound of formula ArSO3H (I) or a precursor thereof, wherein Ar is an 1 to 4 alkyl groups substituted aryl, wherein the aryl is phenyl or naphthyl, and wherein each alkyl group, independently, is a linear or branched alkyl with 10 to 30 carbons,wherein the total number of carbons in the alkyl groups is in the range of 20 to 80 carbons; ii) a derivative of i) selected from the group consisting of an anhydride, an ester, an acetylate, an epoxy blocked ester and an amine salt thereof which is hydrolysable to the corresponding compound of formula (I); and iii) a metal salt of i) wherein the metal ion is selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum,tin and zinc;an article, for example, a coating, a wire or a cable, comprising the polymer composition, a process for producing an article and use of the polymer composition.