Foams containing functionalized metal oxide nanoparticles and methods of making same

• US 6,462,100 B1
• Filed: 07/23/2001
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Thunhorst, Kristin LaVelle, Hanggi, Douglas Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Foelak, Morton
• Application Number:
  US09/911,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20020022672A1
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 521/53, 521/153, 521/64, 522/81, 522/83, 522/84
• US Class Current: 521/53
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 9/283 a discontinuous liquid phase emulsified in a continuous macromolecular phase

Abstract

The invention discloses methods for making foams comprising functionalized metal oxide nanoparticles by photopolymerizing or thermally polymerizing emulsions comprising a reactive phase and a phase immiscible with the reactive phase components. Foams made from water-in-oil emulsions, including high internal phase emulsion are also disclosed. Articles and uses for the foams are also described.

Claims

1. A cross-linked foam co prising at least one functionalized metal oxide nanoparticle material.

2. The foam of claim 1 wherein the foam is an open-cell foam.

3. The foam of claim 1 wherein the foam is a closed-cell foam.

4. The foam of claim 1 wherein the foam is made from a high internal phase emulsion.

5. The foam of claim 1 further comprising post reactive functional groups.

6. The foam of claim 1 further comprising the product from reacting the post reactive functional groups.

7. The foam of claim 1 wherein the post-reactive functional groups are selected from the group comprising hydroxyl, carboxylate, amine, sulfhydryl, azlactone, aldehyde, epoxide, maleimide, isothiocyanates, isocyanates, phosphates, polyphosphates, and iminodiacetates.

8. The article of claim 1 used as a wound dressing.

9. The article of claim 1 wherein the functionalized metal oxide is zince oxide.

10. The foam of claim 1 wherein the foam comprises at least one non-polymerizable material selected from the group consisting of polymers, metals, particles, fibers, minerals, pigments, and dyes.

11. The foam of claim 10 wherein the non-polymerizable material is contained in the foam cells.

12. The foam article of claim 1 wherein the faom is an adhesive.

13. The foam of claim 1 wherein the foam absorbs fluid.

14. The foam of claim 13 wherein the fluid is transported primarily in a direction normal to a major surface of the foam.

15. The foam of claim 14 further comprising a scrim.

16. The foam of claim 13 wherein the foam is crosslinked within the void of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric, wovern, nonwoven, ceramic, and metals.

17. A multilayer structure comprising the foam of claim 1.