Star-Shaped Polymer Dispersion with Swellable Outer Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing star-shaped polymers do not effectively modify their wet and dry properties by exploiting the ability of dispersed polymer particles' outer layers to swell or dissolve in water, while maintaining the core unaffected.

Innovation Solution

A multistage radical emulsion polymerization process is used to create polymer particles with a core and a swellable/soluble outer layer, where the outer layer can swell or dissolve under specific conditions of pH, temperature, or the presence of swelling agents, without significantly affecting the core, allowing for the manipulation of physical and chemical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional star-shaped polymers with long linear chains extending from the core are used, then the polymer structure is well-defined, but the ability to modify wet and dry properties through outer layer swelling or dissolution is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to modify wet and dry propertiesVSAvoidstar-shaped structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer particle is divided into two distinct segments: a core and an outer layer. The outer layer comprises 5-50% by weight of the total polymer and is designed to swell or dissolve under specific conditions (pH change, temperature, or presence of swelling agents), while the core remains unaffected. This segmentation enables independent control of wet and dry properties without compromising the overall star-shaped structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the polymer particle are assigned different functional properties. The outer layer is specifically engineered with swellable or soluble characteristics to provide adaptability in wet conditions, while the core maintains structural integrity and stability. This local differentiation allows the polymer to exhibit star-shaped morphology in dry state while gaining moisture-responsive properties through outer layer transformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the outer layer is made swellable/soluble to enable property modification, then adaptability improves, but the structural stability of the particle may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswelling and dissolution capabilityVSAvoidparticle structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outer layer is pre-engineered with specific functional groups and compositional characteristics during the polymerization process that enable controlled swelling or dissolution only under predetermined conditions (specific pH ranges, temperatures, or in presence of particular swelling agents). This preliminary design ensures that structural stability is maintained under normal conditions while adaptability is activated only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The polymerization process utilizes controlled parameter changes including temperature (50-95°C), pH control during polymerization, and monomer composition ratios to create an outer layer with tailored swellability. By carefully adjusting these parameters during synthesis, the outer layer achieves optimal balance between structural stability and swelling/dissolution capability under specific operational conditions.

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 process enables the creation of novel star-shaped polymers with modified properties, achieving new combinations and ranges of properties by controlling the swelling and dissolution of the outer layer, which is not possible with traditional star-shaped polymers.

Implementation Method 1

the outer layer has the ability to swell under appropriate conditions in order to form a star shape like particle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwelling:

Implementation Method 2

the ability of dispersed polymer particles' outer layer to swell or dissolve in water under appropriate conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

A multistage radical emulsion polymerization process is used to create polymer particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadical polymerization:

Implementation Method 4

multistage radical emulsion polymerization process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsion polymerization: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentEP4211174B1Multistage process for producing polymer dispersion of discrete particles

Publication Date: 2024.10.30 ORGANIK KIMYA SANAYI VE TIC AS

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a multistage radical emulsion polymerization process for producing a polymer dispersion of discrete particles dispersed in water, thereby producing a novel star shaped polymer composition, where the wet and dry properties of the dispersion polymer obtained by radical emulsion polymerization in water are modified. The present invention also relates to its use in coating, textile and adhesive applications.