Titanium-Ammonium Curing Catalyst for Fast Stable Silicon Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curing catalysts for silicone-based and modified silicone-based rubber compositions, such as tin carboxylate compounds, alkyltin salt compounds, titanium acid ester compounds, and quaternary ammonium salts, pose safety concerns and variability in curing rates due to moisture and humidity, leading to unstable cured products.
Innovation Solution
A curing catalyst comprising a complex of a titanium compound and ammonium hydroxide, combined with an amine compound, enhances curing rates and ensures safety without the use of toxic substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tin carboxylate compounds or alkyltin salt compounds are used as curing catalysts, then the curing rate is improved, but safety deteriorates due to endocrine disruptor effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes toxic tin compounds from the curing catalyst system entirely, extracting the harmful substance while maintaining the curing function through alternative catalysts (zirconium or hafnium compounds combined with organic carboxylic acids) that provide similar catalytic activity without endocrine disruptor effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs catalyst systems that are safe and environmentally friendly, replacing expensive and hazardous tin-based catalysts with safer alternatives that may require optimization but eliminate long-term safety concerns and regulatory issues associated with toxic substances
2Productivity
If titanium acid ester compounds are used as curing catalysts, then the curing rate is improved, but stability deteriorates due to decomposition by moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces organic carboxylic acids as intermediary substances that mediate between the moisture-sensitive titanium acid ester catalyst and the reactive hydrolyzable silicon-containing groups. This intermediary system allows the catalyst to function effectively without direct exposure to moisture that would cause decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the catalyst system by combining titanium acid ester compounds with specific organic carboxylic acids, changing the catalytic mechanism from direct moisture-sensitive hydrolysis to a controlled two-component system that maintains stability while achieving high curing rates
3Object-affected harmful factors
If carboxylic acid and amine combined catalyst is used, then safety is improved by eliminating toxic substances, but curing rate deteriorates to insufficient levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite catalyst system combining zirconium or hafnium compounds with organic carboxylic acids, forming a synergistic catalyst combination that achieves both high safety (eliminating toxic tin compounds) and high curing rates (through enhanced catalytic activity of the composite system)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by selecting specific organic carboxylic acids with appropriate molecular structures and reactivity, optimizing the catalyst system to achieve fast curing rates while maintaining safety, thereby improving upon the insufficient curing rate of simple carboxylic acid-amine combinations
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 catalyst provides a high curing rate and stability, resulting in a safe and practical curing process for polymers with reactive hydrolyzable silicon-containing groups.
Implementation Method 1
a curing catalyst used for curing of polymer, wherein the curing catalyst contains a complex of a titanium compound and an ammonium hydroxide, and an amine compound
Implementation Method 2
the reaction mechanism of the process in which the silicone-based rubber and the modified silicone-based rubber become a cured product is based on a condensation reaction or an addition reaction of a reactive hydrolyzable silicon-containing group in the presence of water
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a curing catalyst having a high safety and a practical curing rate. According to the present invention, provided is a curing catalyst [B] used for curing a polymer [A] having a reactive hydrolyzable silicon-containing group, wherein the curing catalyst [B] contains a complex of a titanium compound [B1] and an ammonium hydroxide [B2], and an amine compound [B3], the titanium compound [B1] is represented by Chemical Formula (1), the ammonium hydroxide [B2] is represented by Chemical Formula (2), and the amine compound [B3] is represented by Chemical Formula (3), Chemical Formula (4), or Chemical Formula (5).