Hydrophobic Silica Granules With Controlled Polarity for Stable Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing silica-based thermal insulation materials face challenges with mechanical instability, high hydrophobicity leading to separation in waterborne formulations, and the formation of fines that increase viscosity, making them difficult to incorporate and apply effectively.
Innovation Solution
A silica-based granular material with specific properties, including a cumulative pore volume of >4 nm, tamped density of 140-290 g/L, and a balanced ratio of silanol groups and silicon atoms on the surface, ensuring mechanical stability and compatibility with waterborne compositions while maintaining high hydrophobicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophobized silica particles are used as fillers in thermal insulation compositions, then thermal insulation properties are improved, but compatibility with waterborne formulations deteriorates due to high hydrophobicity causing separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the hydrophobization degree through specific silane treatment conditions and moisture content (5-20%), creating a balanced surface chemistry that maintains both hydrophobicity for insulation and polarity for formulation compatibility. This resolves the contradiction by adjusting the chemical parameters of the silica surface to satisfy both requirements simultaneously.
2Reliability
If silica-based granules are incorporated into thermal insulation compositions, then thermal insulation is improved, but fines formation increases leading to rapid viscosity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the silica granule surfaces with hydrophobic silane groups before incorporation into the composition. This surface modification prevents fines formation and reduces attrition during mixing and processing, thereby maintaining processing ease while preserving thermal insulation properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If highly hydrophobic silica materials are used, then water-repellent properties are improved, but compatibility with polar systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dual-character surface on the silica granules: the bulk material maintains high hydrophobicity for water repellency, while the surface retains controlled polarity through partial silane coverage and moisture content control (5-20%). This local differentiation allows the material to exhibit both water-repellent properties and compatibility with polar waterborne formulations simultaneously.
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 material maintains mechanical stability, allows high loading in waterborne formulations without viscosity increase, and provides effective thermal insulation with water-repellent properties, preventing humidity penetration and enhancing surface protection.
Implementation Method 1
hydrophobized with a surface treatment agent comprising a silicon atom... providing effective thermal insulation with water-repellent properties
Implementation Method 2
Effective thermal insulation of houses, industrial plants, pipelines... highly porous silicon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
Silica-based hydrophobic granular material with an increased polarity Silica-based granular material, comprising silica and at least one IR-opacifier, hydrophobized with a surface treatment agent comprising a silicon atom, wherein the granular material has:a) a cumulative pore volume of pores>4 nm of more than 2.5 cm3/g,as determined by the mercury intrusion method according to DIN ISO 15901-1;b) a tamped density of 140 g/L to 290 g/L;c) a number of silanol groups relative to BET surface area dSiOH of at least 0.5 SiOH/nm2, as determined by reaction with lithium aluminium hydride.d) a number of silicon atoms in the surface treatment agent relative to BET surface area d[Si] of at least 1.0 [Si atoms]/nm2.