Surface-Modified Metal Compound Particles for Organic Solvent Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods lack effective control over surfactant adsorption conditions for maximizing dispersion performance of metal oxide and hydroxide particles in organic solvents like ethanol, limiting their dispersibility.

Innovation Solution

Surface-modified metal compound particles are produced by modifying metal oxide and hydroxide particles with specific carboxylic acids such as methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, and propionic acid, with 12-hydroxystearic acid, controlling their protonation state to enhance dispersibility in organic solvents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal oxide particles and metal hydroxide particles are surface-modified with a carboxylic acid to improve dispersibility in organic solvents, then the dispersibility is enhanced, but the control over adsorption conditions and optimization of dispersion performance remain insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedispersibilityVSAvoidcontrol over adsorption condition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the type of carboxylic acid used for surface modification (methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, propionic acid, or 12-hydroxystearic acid) and controlling the protonation state of the carboxylic acid groups. This optimization of chemical parameters achieves maximum dispersibility in organic solvents while establishing controlled adsorption conditions through specific pH ranges and surfactant-to-metal ratios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional surface modification methods are used to achieve dispersibility in organic solvents, then some dispersibility is obtained, but the dispersion performance is not maximized due to lack of optimized adsorption control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispersion performanceVSAvoidadsorption condition optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical mixing approaches with chemically-controlled surface modification. By substituting the reliance on physical dispersion methods with chemically-driven surface adsorption control, the invention achieves superior dispersion performance through optimized chemical interactions between the carboxylic acid surfactants and metal compound particle surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If metal compound particles are surface-modified to enhance dispersibility in organic solvents, then the particles become suitable for various applications, but the manufacturing process complexity increases due to multiple steps required for optimal surface modification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability in refractories, ceramics, catalystsVSAvoidmanufacturing process steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple surface modification steps into an integrated process. By combining the surface modification with pH control and surfactant adsorption in a coordinated sequence, the invention achieves optimal dispersibility while streamlining the manufacturing process. The consolidation of these operations reduces process complexity compared to performing each step separately with independent optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 surface-modified particles achieve optimized dispersibility in organic solvents, allowing for effective use in various applications, with a median diameter of 1 to 100 nm and high solubility, maintaining physical properties suitable for refractories, ceramics, and catalysts.

Implementation Method 1

the method includes: a step (1) of adding and mixing 12-hydroxystearic acid to metal compound particles having positive zeta potential and being dispersed in a water solvent; a step (2) of adding and mixing at least one carboxylic acid selected from methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, and propionic acid to the metal compound particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a portion or all of the at least one carboxylic acid selected from methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, and propionic acid is a carboxylic acid (protonated) type

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProtonation:

Data Source

PatentUS11325183B2Surface-modified metal compound particles, and method for producing surface-modified metal compound particles

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 DAIICHI KIGENSO KAGAKU KOGYO CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are surface-modified metal compound particles comprising metal compound particles which are surface-modified with one or more types of carboxylic acid selected from a methacrylic acid, an acrylic acid, and a propionic acid, and a 12-hydroxystearic acid, wherein a portion or all of the one or more types of carboxylic acid selected from a methacrylic acid, an acrylic acid, and a propionic acid is a carboxylic acid (protonated) type.