Silicon-Polymer Coated Particles for Solvent-Stable Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particles used in agglomeration-deagglomeration processes and separation methods lack stability when exposed to solvents and surface-active substances, leading to reduced effectiveness and reusability, particularly in high-force conditions.
Innovation Solution
Core-shell particles with a metal or metal compound core and a silicon-comprising polymer shell, featuring specific repeat units, are used to enhance stability and compatibility with solvents and surface-active substances, allowing for effective separation and reuse in processes like water purification and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional particles are used in agglomeration-deagglomeration processes, then the process can be carried out, but the particles lack stability when exposed to solvents and surface-active substances, leading to reduced effectiveness and reusability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating core-shell particles where a metal or metal oxide core is coated with a silicon-comprising polymer shell. This composite structure combines the functional properties of the metal core with the stability and compatibility properties of the silicon polymer shell, resolving the contradiction between particle stability and reusability in solvent and surface-active substance environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The silicon-comprising polymer shell acts as a flexible protective coating that maintains particle integrity under various chemical conditions. The shell's molecular structure, characterized by specific repeat units with silicon-oxygen bonds, provides both mechanical flexibility and chemical stability, allowing particles to withstand exposure to solvents and surface-active substances while maintaining their functional properties for repeated use.
2Productivity
If particles are exposed to high amounts of solvents and surface-active substances under high forces, then separation processes can be performed, but conventional particles show reduced stability and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition and structural parameters of the particle surface through the silicon-comprising polymer coating. This changes the surface energy, hydrophobicity, and chemical resistance parameters, enabling particles to maintain stability under high-force separation conditions while preserving separation efficiency.
3Loss of time
If conventional particles are reused without work-up between cycles, then process efficiency would improve, but particle stability and performance degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The silicon-comprising polymer shell provides self-protective properties that allow particles to maintain their stability and performance characteristics through multiple reuse cycles without requiring intermediate work-up or regeneration steps. The shell structure inherently resists degradation from solvent and surface-active substance exposure, enabling continuous operation.
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 core-shell particles demonstrate high stability and reusability, enabling efficient separation and recycling processes, particularly in conditions involving solvents and surface-active substances, thereby reducing material usage and costs.
Implementation Method 1
hydrophobic modification of mineral fillers and mixed polymer systems. According to this document, hydrophobic modification is effected by reaction of the corresponding mineral particles with silanes
Implementation Method 2
In the light of the prior art, it is thus an object of the present invention to provide particles which are hydrophobized on the surface and have a particularly high stability, in particular toward solvents and/or surface-active substances
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to core-shell-particles, wherein the core comprises at least one metal, or a compound thereof, or a mixture of at least one metal or a compound thereof and at least one semimetal or a compound thereof, and the shell comprises at least one silicon comprising polymer, to a process for the preparation of these core-shell-particles, to the use of these core-shell-particles in an agglomeration-deagglomeration process, in particular in chemical, physical or biological test methods or separation processes, decontamination processes, water purification, recycling of electrical/electronic scrap or gravity separation, and to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material.