Treated Inorganic Particles for Polymer Crystallization Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to effectively accelerate the crystallization process of polymers and increase crystallization temperature using inorganic particles, while also providing opacity and pigmentation benefits, especially with lower particle quantities or larger particle sizes.

Innovation Solution

Treated inorganic particles with a mean size of 0.1-10 μm and an organic treatment layer, comprising alkali or alkaline earth metal salts of aromatic acids or organic diacids, are used to enhance polymer crystallization rates and temperatures, even at lower loadings or with larger particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If traditional inorganic particles are added to polymer compositions, then opacity and pigmentation benefits are provided, but crystallization rate and crystallization temperature are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopacity and pigmentationVSAvoidcrystallization rate and crystallization temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface properties of inorganic particles through organic treatment layers. Specifically, the inorganic particles are treated with organic compounds that change their surface chemistry, enabling them to act as effective nucleating agents. This surface modification allows the particles to promote polymer crystallization at higher temperatures and faster rates while maintaining their opacity and pigmentation functions, thus resolving the contradiction between providing optical benefits and maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If higher loadings of nanoparticles are used to shift crystal structures, then beta crystals can be shifted to alpha or gamma crystals, but particle quantity and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrystal structure controlVSAvoidparticle loading

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface parameters of inorganic particles through organic treatment, which dramatically improves their nucleating efficiency. This allows effective crystal structure control at much lower particle loadings compared to untreated nanoparticles. The organic treatment layer creates specific surface properties that promote desired crystal polymorph formation without requiring high concentrations of particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The organic treatment layer acts as an intermediary between the inorganic particle core and the polymer matrix. This intermediary layer facilitates better interfacial interactions and provides specific nucleation sites that promote desired crystal structures. The mediator enables effective crystal control at lower loadings by enhancing the per-particle effectiveness rather than relying on particle quantity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If inorganic particles are added to induce pore formation during stretching, then porous film structure is created, but beta crystallization increases and crystallization temperature is not improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveporous film structureVSAvoidcrystallization temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface parameters of inorganic particles through organic treatment, transforming them from mere pore-forming agents into effective nucleating agents. The organic treatment layers on the particle surfaces provide specific chemical and physical properties that promote polymer chain organization and crystal nucleation. This allows the particles to simultaneously create porous structures and elevate crystallization temperatures, resolving the contradiction between shape control and temperature improvement.

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

The treated inorganic particles significantly increase crystallization temperature and rate, reducing cooling time for polymer solidification, while maintaining opacity and pigmentation benefits, outperforming traditional inorganic particles in polymer compositions.

Implementation Method 1

the inorganic particles of the present invention control polymer crystallization to increase crystallization temperature, increase crystal formation rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNucleation: Nucleation

Implementation Method 2

decrease cooling time needed for the solidification of the polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20240376295A1Treated inorganic particles for modifying polymer crystallinity

Publication Date: 2024.11.14 THE CHEMOURS CO FC LLC

AI summary

Described is a treated inorganic particle having an organic treatment layer, which can provide crystallization benefits to polymer resins. The treated inorganic particle has a mean particle size of about 0.1-10 μm, and the organic treatment layer is an alkali metal salt or alkaline earth metal salt of an acid; where the acid is an aromatic acid or organic diacid. The treated inorganic particles increase crystallization temperature, increase crystal formation rate, and/or decrease cooling time needed for the solidification of the polymer compared with pigmented resins using other inorganic particles.