Zirconium-Titanium Oxide Composite Sol for Monodisperse Nanoparticles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing zirconium oxide sols face challenges in achieving single nano-level, monodisperse, and amorphous particles with small average diameters, often requiring polymers and limited acid concentration control, making it difficult to mass-produce such sols while controlling crystal growth.
Innovation Solution
A zirconium-titanium oxide composite sol is produced using a coprecipitation method, where a zirconium-titanium composite hydroxide is formed and then dispersed in a polar medium, heated under reflux to achieve nanoparticles with a ZrO2/TiO2 composition ratio of 95/5 to 50/50 and a primary particle diameter of 10 nm or less, without the need for dispersants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If zirconium oxide sols are used to control aggregation through electrostatic repulsion, then monodisperse zirconium oxide with small average particle diameter (several 100 nm or less) can be obtained, but the process becomes complex and difficult to mass-produce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces titanium oxide as an intermediary substance that modifies the surface properties of zirconium oxide particles. The titanium oxide coating acts as a mediator that enhances electrostatic repulsion between particles, preventing aggregation and enabling monodisperse particle distribution without requiring complex production processes. This intermediary substance resolves the contradiction by providing a simple yet effective mechanism for particle stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by incorporating titanium oxide into the zirconium oxide system. This parameter change modifies the surface charge characteristics and electrostatic properties of the particles, enabling better dispersion and monodispersity. The composition adjustment from pure zirconium oxide to zirconium-titanium composite oxide provides a straightforward method to achieve small particle diameter uniformity without complex processing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If polymer additives are used to maintain single nanoparticles in a highly dispersed state, then particle dispersion is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using polymer additives as external mediators, the patent uses titanium oxide as an intrinsic intermediary that is integrated into the particle structure itself. The titanium oxide component naturally provides the steric and electrostatic stabilization needed to maintain particle dispersion. This eliminates the need for separate polymer additives and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining stable particle dispersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining zirconium oxide and titanium oxide in specific ratios. This composite structure inherently provides both the desired particle properties and the stabilization mechanism. The composite nature of the material eliminates the need for additional polymer additives, as the titanium oxide component itself provides the dispersion stability through its surface properties and interaction with the aqueous medium.
3Reliability
If zirconium oxide is mixed and compounded with other materials, then product performance can be improved, but achieving homogeneous mixing requires sufficient compounding effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mixing process by pre-forming stable monodisperse zirconium-titanium composite oxide particles with controlled size and surface properties. These pre-segmented particles mix more uniformly with other materials because their standardized size and surface characteristics prevent aggregation during mixing. The segmentation of particles into uniform units simplifies the compounding process and improves homogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameter of zirconium oxide by incorporating titanium oxide, which modifies the surface charge and wettability. This parameter change enhances the compatibility and dispersibility of zirconium oxide with other materials during mixing and compounding. The modified surface properties facilitate easier and more effective mixing, reducing the compounding effort required while improving the homogeneity of the final composite.
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 resulting sol is monodisperse, amorphous, and has a high refractive index, with controlled aggregation and transparency, suitable for various industrial applications, including optical materials and coatings.
Implementation Method 1
a method comprising: (1) step 1 of mixing a zirconium salt solution and a titanium salt solution so that the ZrO2/TiO2 composition ratio in terms of oxide is 95/5 to 50/50, thereby obtaining a mixed solution; (2) step 2 of adding a base to the mixed solution to thereby obtain a zirconium-titanium composite hydroxide
Implementation Method 2
step 5 of heating the acid dispersion under reflux at 95 to 105°C for 24 hours or more to thereby obtain a zirconium oxide-titanium oxide composite sol
Data Source
Figure 1~2(b)
AI summary
The present invention provides a zirconium oxide-titanium oxide composite sol comprising single nano-level, monodisperse, and amorphous zirconium oxide-titanium oxide composite nanoparticles. Specifically, the present invention provides a zirconium oxide-titanium oxide composite sol comprising zirconium oxide-titanium oxide composite nanoparticles dispersed in a dispersion medium; wherein the zirconium oxide-titanium oxide composite nanoparticles have a ZrO2/TiO2 composition ratio of 95/5 to 50/50, and a primary particle diameter of 10 nm or less, and the dispersion medium is a polar dispersion medium.