ZIRCONIA PARTICLES

• US 20080305943A1
• Filed: 08/19/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Kolb, Brant U., Brady, John T., Davidson, Robert S., Hendrickson, Mark J., Higgins, James A., Anderson, Danny B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,674,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 501/103
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C01G 25/02 Oxides
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2002/70 defined by measured X-ray, neutron or electron diffraction data
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2002/88 by thermal analysis data, e.g. TGA, DTA, DSC
• CPC Class Codes: C01P 2004/64 Nanometer sized, i.e. from 1-100 nanometer
• CPC Class Codes: C09C 1/00 Treatment of specific inorganic materials other than fibrous fillers tenebrescent materials C09K9/00; luminescent materials C09K11/00; Preparation of carbon black
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31529 Next to metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31551 Of polyamidoester [polyurethane, polyisocyanate, polycarbamate, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31609 Particulate metal or metal compound-containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31681 Next to polyester, polyamide or polyimide [e.g., alkyd, glue, or nylon, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31786 Of polyester [e.g., alkyd, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31855 Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers

Abstract

Zirconia particles, methods of making zirconia particles, composite materials that contain the zirconia particles, methods of making the composite materials, and zirconia sols that contain the zirconia particles are described. The zirconia particles are substantially non-associated and have an average size no greater than 50 nanometers and may contain yttrium. The zirconia particles are prepared by a method that includes two separate hydrothermal treatments.

Claims

1. A composite material comprising zirconia particles dispersed in an organic matrix, the zirconia particles comprising 0.1 to 8 weight percent yttrium based on a weight of inorganic oxides in the zirconia particles, the zirconia particles having an average primary particle size no greater than 30 nanometers, a dispersion index of 1 to 3, a ratio of intensity-average particle size to volume-average particle size no greater than 3.0, and a crystal structure that is at least 70 percent cubic, tetragonal, or a combination thereof.

2. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the zirconia particles are treated with a surface modifying agent.

3. The composite material of claim 2, wherein the surface modifying agent comprises beta-carboxyethyl acrylate, mono-2-(methacryloxyethyl)succinate, mono(methacryloxypolyethylene glycol)succinate, or combinations thereof.

4. The composite material of claim 2, wherein the surface modifying agent is reactive with the organic matrix.

5. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the organic matrix comprises a polymeric material.

6. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the organic matrix comprises polymerizable monomers or reactive oligomers.

7. The composite material of claim 5, wherein polymeric material is formed by free-radical polymerization.

8. The composite material of claim 2, wherein the surface modifying agent is a silane.

9. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the organic matrix comprise a polyolefin, polyester, polyurethane, polymethacrylate, polyacrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, or polyimide.

10. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the zirconia particles comprise 1 to 8 weight percent yttrium.