Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Use of statistical copolymers
The invention relates to the use of statistical copolymers as emulsifiers,
in particular in the synthesis of nanoparticles, and to processes for the
production of such particles.
The incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles into a polymer matrix can
influence not only the mechanical properties, such as, for example,
impact strength, of the matrix, but also modifies its optical properties,
such as, for example, wavelength-dependent transmission, colour
(absorption spectrum) and refractive index. In mixtures for optical appli-
cations, the particle size plays an important role since the addition of a
substance having a refractive index which differs from the refractive
index of the matrix inevitably results in light scattering and ultimately in
light opacity. The drop in the intensity of radiation of a defined wave-
length on passing through a mixture shows a high dependence on the
diameter of the inorganic particles.
The development of suitable nanomaterials for dispersion in polymers
requires not only control of the particle size, but also of the surface
properties of the particles. Simple mixing (for example by extrusion) of
hydrophilic particles with a hydrophobic polymer matrix results in in-
homogeneous distribution of the particles throughout the polymer and
additionally in aggregation thereof. For homogeneous incorporation of
inorganic particles into polymers, their surface must therefore be at least
hydrophobically modified. In addition, the nanoparticulate materials, in
particular, exhibit a great tendency to form agglomerates, which also
survive subsequent surface treatment.
Surprisingly, it has now been found that nanoparticles can be precipi-
tated from emulsions directly with a suitable surface modification with
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virtually no agglomerates if certain statistical copolymers are employed
as emulsifier.
The present invention therefore relates firstly to the use of statistical co-
g polymers containing at least one structural unit containing hydrophobic
radicals and at least one structural unit containing hydrophilic radicals
as emulsifier, in particular in the synthesis of nanoparticles from emul-
sions.
The present invention furthermore relates to a process for the produc-
tion of polymer-modified nanoparticles which is characterised in that, in
a step a), an inverse emulsion comprising one or more water-soluble
precursors of the nanoparticles or a melt is prepared with the aid
statistical copolymer of at least one monomer containing hydrophobic
radicals and at least one monomer containing hydrophilic radicals, and,
in a step b), particles are produced.
The emulsion technique for the production of nanoparticles is known in
principle. Thus, M. P. Pileni; J. Phys. Chem. 1993, 97, 6961-6973,
describes the production of semiconductor particles, such as CdSe,
CdTe and ZnS, in inverse emulsions.
However, the syntheses of the inorganic materials frequently require
high salt concentrations of precursor materials in the emulsion, while the
concentration additionally varies during the reaction. Low-molecular-
weight surfactants react to such high salt concentrations, and con-
sequently the stability of the emulsions is at risk (Paul Kent and Brian R.
Saunders; Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 242, 437-442
(2001)). In particular, the particle sizes can only be controlled to a lim-
ited extent (M.-H. Lee, C. Y. Tai, C. H. Lu, Korean J. Chem. Eng. 16,
1999, 818-822).
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K. Landfester (Adv. Mater. 2001, 13, No. 10, 765-768) proposes the use
of high-molecular-weight surfactants (PEO-PS block copolymers) in
combination with ultrasound for the production of nanoparticles in the
particle size range from about 150 to about 300 nm from metal salts.
The choice of statistical copolymers of at least one monomer containing
hydrophobic radicals and at least one monomer containing hydrophilic
radicals has now enabled the provision of emulsifiers which facilitate the
production of inorganic nanoparticles from inverse emulsions with
control of the particle size and particle-size distribution. At the same
time, the use of these novel emulsifiers enables the nanoparticles to be
isolated from the dispersions with virtually no agglomerates since the
individual particles form directly with polymer coatings.
In addition, the nanoparticles obtainable by this method can be dis-
persed particularly simply and uniformly in polymers, with, in particular,
it being possible substantially to avoid undesired impairment of the
transparency of such polymers in visible light.
The statistical copolymers preferably to be employed in accordance with
the invention exhibit a weight ratio of structural units containing hydro-
phobic radicals to structural units containing hydrophilic radicals in the
statistical copolymers which is in the range from 1:2 to 500:1, preferably
in the range from 1:1 to 100:1 and particularly preferably in the range
from 7:3 to 10:1. The weight average molecular weight of the statistical
copolymers is usually in the range from MW = 1000 to 1,000,000 g/mol,
preferably in the range from 1500 to 100.000 g/mol and particularly
preferably in the range from 2000 to 40.000 g/mol.
It has been found here that, in particular, copolymers which conform to
the formula I
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* ran ran
I
R~iX R2iY
where
X and Y correspond to the radicals of conventional nonionic or ionic
monomers, and
R' stands for hydrogen or a hydrophobic side group, preferably
selected from branched or unbranched alkyl radicals having at least 4
carbon atoms, in which one or more, preferably all, H atoms may
have been replaced by fluorine atoms, and
R2 stands for a hydrophilic side group, which preferably has a phos-
phonate, sulfonate, polyol or polyether radical,
and where -X-R' and -Y-R2 may each have a plurality of different
meanings within a molecule that satisfy the requirements according
to the invention in a particular manner.
Particular preference is given in accordance with the invention to
polymers in which -Y-R2 stands for a betaine structure.
Particular preference is in turn given here to polymers of the formula I
in which X and Y, independently of one another, stand for -O-,
-C(=O)-O-, -C(=O)-NH-, -(CH2)~-, phenyl, naphthyl or pyridyl. Further-
more, polymers in which at least one structural unit contains at least
one quaternary nitrogen atom, where R2 preferably stands for a
-(CH2)m-(N+(CH3)2)-(Chi2)n-S03- side group or a -(CH2)m-(N+(CHs)2)-
(CH2)~-P032- side group, where m stands for an integer from the
range from 1 to 30, preferably from the range from 1 to 6, particularly
preferably 2, and n stands for an integer from the range from 1 to 30,
preferably from the range from 1 to 8, particularly preferably 3, can
advantageously be employed.
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Statistical copolymers particularly preferably to be employed can be
prepared in accordance with the following scheme:
S
AIBN n 0 -
O O 0
0 O 0 0 toluene, 70oC O 0 0 O THF, reflux /
C H 0lzHzs 0lzHzs
12 25
-N-
~N~ ~N~
O=~=O
O
The desired amounts of lauryl methacrylate (LMA) and dimethyl-
aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) are copolymerised here by
known processes, preferably by means of free radicals in toluene
through addition of AIBN. A betaine structure is subsequently
obtained by known methods by reaction of the amine with 1,3-pro-
pane sultone.
Alternative copolymers preferably to be employed can contain sty-
rene, vinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyridine, halogenated styrene or meth-
oxystyrene, where these examples do not represent a limitation. In
another, likewise preferred embodiment of the present invention, use
is made of polymers which are characterised in that at least one
structural unit is an oligomer or polymer, preferably a macromono
mer, where polyethers, polyolefins and polyacrylates are particularly
preferred as macromonomers.
Precursors which can be employed for the inorganic nanoparticles
are water-soluble metal compounds, preferably silicon, cerium,
cobalt, chromium, nickel, zinc, titanium, iron, yttrium and/or zirconium
compounds, where these precursors are preferably reacted with an
acid or lye for the production of corresponding metal-oxide particles.
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Mixed oxides can be obtained in a simple manner here by suitable
mixing of the corresponding precursors. The choice of suitable pre-
cursors presents the person skilled in the art with no difficulties; suit-
able compounds are all those which are suitable for the precipitation
of the corresponding target compounds from aqueous solution. An
overview of suitable precursors for the preparation of oxides is given,
for example, in Table 6 in K. Osseo-Asare "Microemulsion-mediated
Synthesis of nanosize Oxide Materials" in: Kumar P., Mittal KL, (edi-
tors), Handbook of microemulsion science and technology, New York:
Marcel Dekker, Inc., pp. 559-573, the contents of which expressly
belong to the disclosure content of the present application.
Hydrophilic melts can likewise serve as precursors of nanoparticles in
the sense of this invention. A chemical reaction for the production of
the nanoparticles is not absolutely necessary in this case.
In particular, alkali or alkaline earth metal silicates, preferably sodium
silicates, as precursors can also be reacted with acid or lye to give
silicon dioxide.
In likewise preferred embodiments of the present invention, at least
one soluble compound of a noble metal, preferably silver nitrate, is
reacted with a reducing agent, preferably citric acid, to give the metal.
For the preparation of nanoparticulate metal sulfides, which is like-
wise preferred in accordance with the invention, a soluble metal
compound, preferably a soluble Pb, Cd or Zn compound, is reacted
with hydrogen sulfide to give the metal sulfide.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a soluble metal
compound, such as, preferably, for example, calcium chloride, is
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reacted with carbon dioxide to give a nanoparticulate metal carbon-
ate.
Nanoparticles particularly preferably produced are those which
essentially consist of oxides or hydroxides of silicon, cerium, cobalt,
chromium, nickel, zinc, titanium, iron, yttrium and/or zirconium.
The particles preferably have a mean particle size, determined by
means of dynamic light scattering or a transmission electron micro-
scope, of from 3 to 200 nm, in particular from 20 to 80 nm and very
particularly preferably from 30 to 50 nm. In specific, likewise preferred
embodiments of the present invention, the distribution of the particle
sizes is narrow, i.e. the variation latitude is less than 100% of the
mean, particularly preferably a maximum of 50% of the mean.
In the context of the use of these nanoparticles for UV protection in
polymers, it is particularly preferred if the nanoparticles have an
absorption maximum in the range 300 - 500 nm, preferably in the
range up to 400 nm, where particularly preferred nanoparticles
absorb radiation, in particular, in the UV-A region.
The emulsion process can be carried out here in various ways:
As already stated, particles are usually produced in step b) by reac
tion of the precursors or by cooling of the melt. The precursors can
be reacted here, depending on the process variant selected, with an
acid, a lye, a reducing agent or an oxidant.
For the production of particles in the desired particle-size range, it is
particularly advantageous if the droplet size in the emulsion is in the
range from 5 to 500 nm, preferably in the range from 10 to 200 nm.
The droplet size in the given system is set here in the manner known
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to the person skilled in the art, where the oil phase is matched indi-
vidually to the reaction system by the person skilled in the art. For the
production of Zn0 particles, toluene and cyclohexane, for example,
have proven successful as the oil phase.
In certain cases, it may be helpful to employ a further coemulsifier,
preferably a nonionic surfactant, in addition to the statistical
copolymer. Preferred coemulsifiers are optionally ethoxylated or
propoxylated, relatively long-chain alkanols or alkylphenols having
various degrees of ethoxylation or propoxylation (for example adducts
with from 0 to 50 mol of alkylene oxide).
It may also be advantageous to employ dispersion aids, preferably
water-soluble, high-molecular-weight, organic compounds containing
polar groups, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, copolymers of vinyl
propionate or acetate and vinylpyrrolidone, partially saponified co-
polymers of an acrylate and acrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohols having
various residual acetate contents, cellulose ethers, gelatine, block
copolymers, modified starch, low-molecular-weight, carboxyl- and/or
sulfonyl-containing polymers, or mixtures of these substances.
Particularly preferred protective colloids are polyvinyl alcohols having
a residual acetate content of below 40 mol%, in particular from 5 to
39 mol%, and/or vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl propionate copolymers having
a vinyl ester content of below 35% by weight, in particular from 5 to
30% by weight.
The desired property combinations of the nanoparticles required can
be set in a targeted manner by adjustment of the reaction conditions,
such as temperature, pressure and reaction duration. The corre-
sponding setting of these parameters presents the person skilled in
the art with absolutely no difficulties. For example, work can be car-
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ried out at atmospheric pressure and room temperature for many
purposes.
In a preferred process variant, a second emulsion in which a reactant
for the precursors is in emulsified form is mixed in step b) with the
precursor emulsion from step a). This two-emulsion process allows
the production of particles having a particularly narrow particle-size
distribution. It may be particularly advantageous here for the two
emulsions to be mixed with one another by the action of ultrasound.
In another, likewise preferred process variant, the precursor emulsion
is mixed in step b) with a precipitant which is soluble in the continu-
ous phase of the emulsion. The precipitation is then carried out by
diffusion of the precipitant into the precursor-containing micelles. For
example, titanium dioxide particles can be obtained by diffusion of
pyridine into titanyl chloride-containing micelles or silver particles can
be obtained by diffusion of long-chain aldehydes into silver nitrate-
containing micelles.
The nanoparticles according to the invention are used, in particular,
in polymers. Polymers into which the nanoparticles according to the
invention can be incorporated well are, in particular, polycarbonate
(PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PETP), polyimide (PI), polystyrene
(PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or copolymers comprising at
least a fraction of one of the said polymers.
The incorporation can be carried out here by conventional methods
for the preparation of polymer compositions. For example, the poly
mer material can be mixed with nanoparticles according to the inven
tion, preferably in an extruder or compounder.
Depending on the polymer used, it is also possible to employ com-
pounders.
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A particular advantage of the particles according to the invention
consists in that only a low energy input compared with the prior art is
necessary for homogeneous distribution of the particles in the poly-
mer.
The polymers here can also be dispersions of polymers, such as, for
example, paints. The incorporation can be carried out here by con-
ventional mixing operations.
The polymer compositions according to the invention comprising the
nanoparticles are furthermore also particularly suitable for the coating
of surfaces. This enables the surface or the material lying beneath
the coating to be protected, for example, against UV radiation.
The following examples are intended to explain the invention in
greater detail without limiting it.
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Examples
Example 1: Synthesis of the macrosurfactants
The first step comprises the synthesis of a statistical copolymer of dode-
cyl methacrylate (lauryl methacrylate; LMA) and dimethylaminoethyl
methacrylate (DMAEMA). Control of the molecular weight can be
achieved by addition of mercaptoethanol. The copolymer obtained in
this way is modified by means of 1,3-propane sultone in order to supply
saturated groups.
To this end, 7 g of LMA and DMAEMA, in an amount corresponding to
Table 1 below, are initially introduced in 12 g of toluene and subjected
to free-radical polymerisation under argon at 70°C after initiation of
the
reaction by addition of 0.033 g of AIBN in 1 ml of toluene. The chain
growth can be controlled here by addition of 2-mercaptoethanol (see
Table 1 ). The crude polymer is washed, freeze-dried and subsequently
reacted with 1,3-propane sultone, as described in V. Butun, C. E. Ben-
nett, M. Vamvakaki, A. B. Lowe, N. C. Billingham, S. P. Armes, J. Mater.
Chem., 1997, 7(9), 1693-1695.
The characterisation of the resultant polymers is given in Table 1.
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Table 1: Amounts of monomers employed and characterisation of the
resultant polymers
DMAEMA DMAEMA in 1-Mercapto-M~ MW Betaine
[g] the polymerethanol [g/mol][g/mol] groups
[mol%] [g] [mol%]
E 1.08 19 0.033 18000 31000 16
1
E2 1.08 19 0.011 28000 51000 19
E3 1.08 21 0.066 13000 21000 21
E4 1.09 20 --- 59000 158000 14.6
E5 0.48 10.7 --- 52000 162000 7.5
Example 2: Precipitation of Zn0 particles
Zn0 particles are precipitated by the following method:
1. Preparation of in each case an inverse emulsion of an aqueous
solution of 0.4 g of Zn(Ac0)2*2H20 in 1.1 g of water (emulsion 1 ) and
0.15 g of NaOH in 1.35 g of water (emulsion 2) by means of ultrasound.
Emulsion 1 and emulsion 2 each comprise 150 mg of a statistical
copolymer E1 - E5 from Table 1.
2. Ultrasound treatment of the mixture of emulsion 1 and emulsion 2,
followed by drying.
3. Purification of sodium acetate by washing the resultant solid with
water.
4. Drying and redispersal of the powder functionalised on the surface
by the emulsifier by stirring in toluene.
FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction show the formation of ZnO.
Furthermore, no reflections of sodium acetate are visible in the X-ray
diagram.
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Thus, Example 2 results in a product which consists of the synthesised
macrosurfactant and zinc oxide particles.
Diameter [nm] Variance [nm] Proportion of
Copolymer Zn0
(light scattering)
(wt-%)
E 1 37 30 30.3
E2 66 53 30.5
E3 50 41 32
Comparative Example 2a: Use of the emulsifier ABIL EM 90~
The procedure as described in Example 2 with the commercially avail-
able emulsifier ABIL EM 90~ (cetyl dimethicone copolyol, Goldschmidt)
instead of the statistical copolymer from Example 1 does not result in a
stable emulsion. The particles obtained exhibit diameters of between
500 and 4000 nm.
Example 3: Precipitation of silicon dioxide
The precipitation of Si02 particles is carried out by the following method:
1. Preparation of in each case an inverse emulsion of an aqueous solu-
tion of Na2Si03 (emulsion 1 ) and H2S04 (emulsion 2) by means of ultra-
sound (concentrations corresponding to Table 2).
2. Ultrasound treatment of the mixture of emulsion 1 and emulsion 2
followed by drying.
3. Purification by washing the resultant solid with water.
4. Drying and redispersal of the powder obtained.
FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction show the formation of Si02
and the non-presence/absence of sodium silicate.
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The step thus gives a product which consists of the synthesised macro-
surfactant and silicon dioxide particles.
Table 2: Composition of the emulsions and characterisation of the
products
Particle
size
Standard
of the
ExperimentEmulsion E1 Emulsion E2 deviation
nanoparticles
(nm]
[nm]
0.15 g of polymer0.15 g of
polymer
surfactant surfactant
(E4); (E4);
3a 11.7 g of toluene;11.7 g of 59 19
toluene;
1.25 g of water2.2 g of water;
1.25 g of Na2Si030.3 g of HzS04
0.15 g of polymer0.15 g of
polymer
surfactant surfactant
(E4); (E4);
3b 11.7 g of toluene;11.7 g of 40 15
toluene;
1.25 g of water;1.76 g of
water;
1.00 g of NazSi030.24 g of
H2S04
0.15 g of polymer0.15 g of
polymer
surfactant surfactant
(E4); (E4);
3c 11.7 g of toluene;11.7 g of 50 20
toluene;
0.75 g of water;1.32 g of
water;
0.75 g of Na2Si030.18 g of
HZS04
0.15 g of polymer0.15 g of
polymer
surfactant surfactant
(E5); (E5);
3d 11.7 g of toluene;11.7 g of 43 15
toluene;
0.75 g of water;1.32 g of
water;
0.75 g of NaZSi030.18 g of
H2S04
0.15 g of polymer0.15 g of
polymer
surfactant surfactant
(E5); (E5);
3e 11.7 g of toluene;11.7 g of 53 12
toluene;
1.25 g of water;2.2 g of water;
1.25 g of NaZSi030.3 g of HZS04
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0.15 g of polymer0.15 g of
polymer
surfactant surfactant
(E5); (E5);
3f 11.7 g of toluene;11.7 g of 93 30
toluene;
1.0 g of water;1.76 g of
1.0 g water;
of Na2Si03 0.24 g of
HZS04
Example 4: Polymer composition
A dispersion of the particles from Example 2-E1 in PMMA lacquer is
prepared by mixing, applied to glass substrates and dried. The Zn0
content after drying is 10% by weight. The films exhibit a virtually im
perceptible haze. Measurements using a UV-VIS spectrometer confirm
this impression. The sample exhibits the following absorption values,
depending on the layer thickness (the percentage of incident light lost in
transmission is shown).
Layer thickness UV-A (350 nm) VIS (400 nm)
1.2 Nm 35% 4%
1.6 ~m 40% 5%
2.2 pm 45% 7%
Comparison:
(Zn0 (extra pure, Merck) in PMMA lacquer as above)
2 pm 64% 46%
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