New Technologies to Better Stabilize Colloid Particles
- Detailed Technology Description
- These technologies provide greater control over the interactions of microscopic particles suspended within a liquid (i.e., colloids).
- Countries
- United States
- Application No.
- 7053125
- *Abstract
-
These technologies provide greater control over the interactions of microscopic particles suspended within a liquid (i.e., colloids). One technology involves introducing nanoparticles to the liquid to prevent the suspended particles from flocculating or coagulating. The other technology applies comb polymers, which consist of a polyelectrolyte backbone and charge-neutral teeth, to prevent particle attraction. By increasing the stability of the suspended particles, these technologies offer users greater control over the colloidal suspension viscosity, solids loading, yield stress, and elastic modulus. Improved structural and rheological control can benefit the wide range of applications that rely on colloidal building blocks and their processing and assembly.
DESCRIPTION/DETAILS
From paints to cosmetics and from ink jet printers to drug delivery, many commercial technologies rely on processing and assembling colloidal building blocks (i.e., through suspending microscopic particles in a liquid). In most applications, control over the suspended particles is essential to avoid flocculation (or coagulation); to maintain the desired viscosity; and to provide uniform, reproducible properties over time. These two technologies offer better methods for controlling the stability of colloidal particles suspended in polar liquids (e.g., water, alcohol, combinations of polar and nonpolar solvents).
How They Work
- Nanoparticle Haloing Technology: This technology is a novel approach to controlling particle dispersion. The process involves adding a small dose of charged nanoparticles to a colloidal suspension. The nanoparticles can be charged either by adding charged groups to their surfaces or as a result of surface group dissociation. Once introduced to the colloidal suspension, the nanoparticles seek out and surround the suspended particles, essentially creating a "bumper" that prevents the suspended particles from flocculating or coagulating. As a result, the suspension viscosity remains low, which is particularly useful for injection drugs or in controlling the flow of materials into intricate molds. The technology is highly versatile, allowing the user to select the nanoparticle with the appropriate chemistry for the particular application.
- Comb Polymer Technology: This new technology uses a specific molecular design-a comb polymer-that combines a polyelectrolyte backbone (i.e., anchoring block) with charge-neutral teeth attached at frequent intervals along the backbone to achieve greater colloidal stability than can be obtained through use of either species independently. These comb polymer dispersants can operate under a broad range of pH and ionic strength where pure polyelectrolyte dispersants fail.
- PaintsDrug delivery, including injections, inhalants, and patches
- Ceramics used in automotive parts (e.g., catalytic converters, spark plug insulators), whitewares, electronics packaging, multilayer capacitors, and other applications
- MoldingInk jet printing
- Cosmetics, sunscreen, toothpaste, shampoo
- Greater particle control: These technologies can be used to optimize a colloid's viscosity, yield stress, solids loading, elastic modulus, and degree of networking, allowing the properties to be appropriately designed to obtain the best performance in the final product.
- Long lasting: Comb polymer dispersants are highly effective dispersants over a broad range of pH and ionic strength conditions, where pure polyelectrolyte species fail to impart stability. As a result, the product maintains uniform properties over extended time periods (i.e., enhanced shelf life).
- Versatile: These technologies can be applied to any colloidal suspension that contains a polar solvent (e.g., water, alcohol).
For more information about this technology, please contact the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Office of Technology Management at otm@illinois.edu.
- *IP Issue Date
- None
- *IP Type
- Utility
- Country/Region
- USA
