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• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09C—TREATMENT OF INORGANIC MATERIALS, OTHER THAN FIBROUS FILLERS, TO ENHANCE THEIR PIGMENTING OR FILLING PROPERTIES ; PREPARATION OF CARBON BLACK  ; PREPARATION OF INORGANIC MATERIALS WHICH ARE NO SINGLE CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS AND WHICH ARE MAINLY USED AS PIGMENTS OR FILLERS
  • C09C1/00—Treatment of specific inorganic materials other than fibrous fillers; Preparation of carbon black
  • C09C1/36—Compounds of titanium
  • C09C1/3607—Titanium dioxide
  • C09C1/3653—Treatment with inorganic compounds
  • C09C1/3661—Coating
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09C—TREATMENT OF INORGANIC MATERIALS, OTHER THAN FIBROUS FILLERS, TO ENHANCE THEIR PIGMENTING OR FILLING PROPERTIES ; PREPARATION OF CARBON BLACK  ; PREPARATION OF INORGANIC MATERIALS WHICH ARE NO SINGLE CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS AND WHICH ARE MAINLY USED AS PIGMENTS OR FILLERS
  • C09C1/00—Treatment of specific inorganic materials other than fibrous fillers; Preparation of carbon black
  • C09C1/36—Compounds of titanium
  • C09C1/3607—Titanium dioxide
  • C09C1/3653—Treatment with inorganic compounds
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2004/00—Particle morphology
  • C01P2004/01—Particle morphology depicted by an image
  • C01P2004/04—Particle morphology depicted by an image obtained by TEM, STEM, STM or AFM
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2004/00—Particle morphology
  • C01P2004/51—Particles with a specific particle size distribution
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2004/00—Particle morphology
  • C01P2004/60—Particles characterised by their size
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2004/00—Particle morphology
  • C01P2004/60—Particles characterised by their size
  • C01P2004/62—Submicrometer sized, i.e. from 0.1-1 micrometer
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2004/00—Particle morphology
  • C01P2004/80—Particles consisting of a mixture of two or more inorganic phases
  • C01P2004/82—Particles consisting of a mixture of two or more inorganic phases two phases having the same anion, e.g. both oxidic phases
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2004/00—Particle morphology
  • C01P2004/80—Particles consisting of a mixture of two or more inorganic phases
  • C01P2004/82—Particles consisting of a mixture of two or more inorganic phases two phases having the same anion, e.g. both oxidic phases
  • C01P2004/84—Particles consisting of a mixture of two or more inorganic phases two phases having the same anion, e.g. both oxidic phases one phase coated with the other
  • C01P2004/86—Thin layer coatings, i.e. the coating thickness being less than 0.1 time the particle radius
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2006/00—Physical properties of inorganic compounds
  • C01P2006/10—Solid density
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2006/00—Physical properties of inorganic compounds
  • C01P2006/12—Surface area
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2006/00—Physical properties of inorganic compounds
  • C01P2006/60—Optical properties, e.g. expressed in CIELAB-values
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2006/00—Physical properties of inorganic compounds
  • C01P2006/80—Compositional purity
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C01P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
  • C01P2006/00—Physical properties of inorganic compounds
  • C01P2006/90—Other properties not specified above

Definitions

• This invention relates to methods for preparing titanium dioxide pigments at lower reaction temperatures than those of prior art methods.
• the titanium dioxide pigments of the present invention possess unexpected improvements in gloss when prepared at low temperatures.
• Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) pigments are important in the manufacture of paints, plastics, and coatings. There has been a considerable research effort to make titanium dioxide pigments to improve the gloss of paints, plastics, or coatings.
• pigments useful in the manufacture of plastics, paints and coating are comprised of a base titanium dioxide pigment having layers or coatings of various inorganic compounds.
• Such compounds include alumina, silica, zirconia, phosphates, and the like.
• coating titanium dioxide pigments with silica and alumina involves first preparing an aqueous slurry of titania particles, at a temperature of above 75°C and subsequently adding a soluble silica compound to the slurry. The pH of the slurry is then adjusted to between about 8 and 10 to initiate the deposition of a dense silica layer. After silica deposition, an alumina compound is added to the slurry and deposited on the titania particles.
• coated titanium dioxide pigments at lower reaction temperatures (e.g. below 75°C) which utilize less overall heat energy while improving gloss and maintaining durability.
• Such pigments can be prepared in reactors that are designed to run at temperatures lower than 75°C as well as reactors that run at higher temperatures.
• the present invention provides a titanium dioxide pigment with improved gloss produced using less overall heat energy. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of preparing a titanium dioxide pigment having improved gloss properties comprising the steps of: a) heating an aqueous slurry of base titanium dioxide pigment to a temperature below about 75°C; b) coating the base titanium dioxide pigment with a silica compound at a temperature below about 75°C to form a silica coated titanium dioxide pigment; and c) coating the silica coated titanium dioxide pigment with an alumina compound at a temperature below about 75°C to form the titanium dioxide pigment having improved gloss and acceptable durability.
• the present invention provides a method of enhancing gloss of a titanium dioxide pigment comprising the step of: treating the titanium dioxide pigment with a silica compound and an alumina compound at a temperature below about 75°C.
• the present invention provides a method of treating titanium dioxide by coating the titanium dioxide with a silica compound and an alumina compound to form treated titanium dioxide having enhanced gloss, the improvement comprising the step of: maintaining the temperature of the titanium dioxide during the method at a temperature below about 75°C.
• the present invention provides a method for preparing titanium dioxide pigment having improved gloss at reduced temperatures, comprising the steps of: a) heating a slurry of titanium dioxide pigment under agitation to a temperature between about 60°C to below about 75°C; b) adding a silica compound to the slurry; c) curing the silica to form a silica coated titanium dioxide pigment; d) adjusting the pH of the slurry to a value of from about 6 to about 7; e) adding an alumina compound to the silica-treated slurry while maintaining the pH at a value of about 6.5; f) curing the alumina compound under agitation to form an alumina coating; g) adjusting the pH of the slurry to a value of from about 5.5 to about 6.5; h) discharging, washing and filtering the pigment; and i) drying, micronizing and treating the pigment with trimethylolpropane.
• Figure 1 is a comparative graphic illustration of the effects of temperature on gloss (40% PVC Acrylic gloss) of titanium dioxide pigments coated with SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 .
• the pigments produced at temperatures of 70°C have improved gloss over pigments produced at 85°C.
• Titanium Dioxide Base Pigments Titanium dioxide pigment bases are produced commercially in two crystalline polymorphic forms, namely the rutile form which can be produced by both the chloride and sulfate processes and the anatase form which is normally produced by the sulfate process. Both of these well known processes are generally described in U.S. Patent No. RE 27,818, and those basic descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.
• the base pigment useful in the present invention possess a substantially rutile crystalline structure.
• Such a base made, for example, by the chloride process will have a particle size range on the order of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 microns.
• bases made via the chloride process contain small amounts of aluminum oxides which are formed in the chloride process from aluminum chloride.
• the aluminum compound may be present in the TiO 2 pigment base in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 1.5 percent based on the titanium compound as is typically known in the art.
• the TiO 2 base pigments useful in the process of this invention will have been wet milled and optionally hydroclassified prior to treatment in accordance with the process of this invention thereby providing a pigment substrate of substantially uniform particle size.
• the process of the present invention comprises the formation of an initial aqueous slurry of the base titanium oxide pigment.
• Slurries of titanium dioxide pigment can be made by methods known in the art.
• the slurry has a TiO 2 solids content of less than about 40%, preferably less than about 35%, and more preferably less than about 30% by weight of the slurry.
• the pH of the initial slurry can be determined by those skilled in the art and adjusted to a desired pH range used by methods known in the art. For example, if adjustment of the pH of the slurry becomes necessary, such adjustments can be made by simply adding a suitable acid or suitable base.
• Suitable bases include water soluble alkaline bases such as ammonia, sodium hydroxide or other suitable alkaline compounds.
• Suitable acids include water soluble acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and the like.
• the pH of the initial slurry (prior to addition of the silica compound) is at least about 7.0.
• the slurry is heated to a temperature of below about 75°C and maintained at this temperature throughout the process.
• the slurry temperature is maintained at a temperature between about 60°C to below about 75°C, more preferably between about 65°C to about 70°C, and most preferably between about 65°C to below about 75°C.
• the temperature of the slurry can be maintained throughout the process through the use of conventional heating means known by those skilled in the art, such as for example, by steam.
• a silica compound is added to the slurry while the slurry is maintained at a temperature of below about 75°C.
• any water soluble silica compound capable of providing silica for deposition upon the titanium dioxide pigment under the operating conditions of the process can be employed.
• Silica compounds suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, water soluble alkali metal silicates.
• Preferred water soluble alkali metal silicates include sodium silicate, potassium silicate, and the like. Most preferably, the silica compound is sodium silicate.
• the weight percent of the silica compound in the slurry can vary depending on the thickness or concentration of the coating desired.
• the silica coating is dense, amorphous and continuous rather than porous and discontinuous.
• curing refers to maintaining the slurry under conditions so that silica compounds will deposit on the titanium dioxide base pigments.
• the silica compound is added to the slurry in an amount such that the final pigment content comprises from about 0.5 % to about 5.0 % by weight of silica based on the total weight of the titanium dioxide pigment. More preferably, from about 1% to about 3% and most preferably, the silica content is about 2.5 % based on the weight of the titanium dioxide pigment.
• the silica compound can be added to the slurry under agitation, such as for example by an in-line mixer or other suitable means, over a period of preferably from about 15 minutes to about 120 minutes.
• the present invention is suitable for continuous or batch processes. In continuous processes, the residence times are preferably less than about 120 minutes, in contrast to batch processes where the treatment times are typically longer than 120 minutes.
• the skilled artisan is guided by the knowledge in the field and the present invention includes without limitation titanium dioxide pigments with improved gloss produced by the continuous process or batch process and combinations thereof.
• the pH of the slurry is adjusted after the addition of the silica compound in order to produce a dense, amorphous coating on the titanium dioxide pigment.
• the specific pH can be determined by those skilled in the art and adjusted to a desired pH range used by methods known in the art. For example, if adjustment of the pH of the slurry becomes necessary, such adjustments can be made by adding a suitable acid or suitable base as discussed above. Most preferably, the pH is adjusted to the range of from about 6.0 to about 7.0 over a period of from about 15 to about 60 minutes after the silica compound is added.
• alumina compounds include hydrous alumina compounds such as for example, water soluble alkali metal aluminate.
• water soluble alkali metal aluminates include but are not limited to sodium aluminate or potassium aluminate.
• Some other alumina compounds include aluminum sulfate, aluminum chloride, and the like.
• the water soluble alumina compound is sodium aluminate.
• the weight percent of the alumina compound can vary.
• the alumina compound is added to the slurry in an amount to provide from about 1.5 % to about 5.0 % by weight and more preferably from about 2.0 % to about 3.0 % by weight, and most preferably about 2.0 %, by weight of the alumina compound based upon the total weight of the titanium dioxide pigment.
• the alumina compound is added to the slurry under agitation, such as for example by an in-line mixer or other suitable means, over a period of preferably from about 5 minutes to 120 minutes, more preferably from about 10 minutes to 60 minutes, and most preferably, the alumina compound is added over about 10 minutes to 20 minutes.
• the pH of the slurry is adjusted simultaneously in order to deposit the alumina compound on the silica coated titanium dioxide pigment.
• the specific pH can be determined by those skilled in the art and adjusted to a desired pH range used by methods known in the art. For example, if adjustment of the pH of the slurry becomes necessary, such adjustments can be made by simply adding a suitable acid or suitable base as discussed above. Most preferably, the pH is adjusted to the range of from about 6.0 to about 7.0 over a period of about 20 minutes.
• the temperature of the slurry during the deposition of the alumina compound can be maintained below about 75°C.
• the slurry temperature is maintained at a temperature between about 60°C and below about 75°C, more preferably between about 65°C to about 70°C, and most preferably between about 65°C to below about 75°C.
• the alumina is deposited on the silica coated titanium dioxide pigment at a temperature as low as 65°C.
• the pH of the slurry is adjusted to preferably about 6.0 to 6.5, and most preferably to about 6.3.
• the resultant silica and alumina coated titanium dioxide pigment is recovered by filtration, washed substantially free of soluble salts adhering to the pigment, dried and then subjected to final comminution using fluid energy milling techniques known in the art.
• the washed and dried pigment is micronized in a steam micronizer at intensities known by those skilled in the art to produce the desired particle size distribution.
• an organic compound such as for example, trimethylolpropane (TMP) or pentaerythritol can be added to the pigment during air or steam micronization.
• TMP trimethylolpropane
• pentaerythritol can be added to the pigment during air or steam micronization.
• TMP is added in an amount of from about 0.2%) to 0.4% based on the weight of the titanium dioxide pigment.
• Gloss is determined by methods known in the art.
• the gloss is determined by incorporating the pigment into paint and measuring the gloss using a gloss meter.
• the pigments made by the methods of the present invention are incorporated into acrylic based paints at 40 % PVC (pigment volume concentration) and the 20° gloss measured.
• the measured 40% PVC gloss value is from about 10 to about 20, for air micronized pigment and for steam micronized pigment, the values are from about 20 to about 60.
• steam micronization involves temperatures of about 260°C and pressures of from about 150 to 160 psi to obtain pigments of the desired particle size.
• Preferred steam to pigment ratios that improve gloss can be determined by those skilled in the art and include ratios from about 1.7 to about 3.0.
• improved gloss includes an increase in gloss when compared to pigments produced at higher temperatures above 75 ° C.
• Increased gloss includes increases preferably from about 1% to about 100%, more preferably, from about 10% to about 90%), and most preferably, from about 20%> to about 60%> over pigments prepared at higher temperatures above 75 ° C.
• Commercially acceptable gloss includes gloss ratings equivalent to that of pigments prepared at temperatures above 75°C.
• Continuous processes preferably involve continuous feed pipelines with cascading treatment tanks with separate addition points for silica and alumina compounds, pH adjusters and other additives.
• Continuous processes involve residence times of less than about 120 minutes, preferably from about 5 minutes to about 120 minutes, and more preferably from about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes for silica and alumina deposition on the titanium dioxide pigment. Accordingly, the resultant slurry is continuously coated, filtered, washed and dried.
• Batch processes can generally involve longer pigment processing times. Batch processes can involve residence times in each step of treatment of generally greater than about 120 minutes for inorganic hydrous oxide deposition (i.e. silica and alumina) on the titanium dioxide pigment.
• inorganic hydrous oxide deposition i.e. silica and alumina
• the methods of the present invention are also suitable for combination of batch and continuous processes.
• the pigments of the present invention are suitable for use in paints, plastics, and coatings, where high gloss is needed. Further, the pigments of the present invention also maintain durability comparable to other commercially available pigments.
• each pigment was prepared as follows: 1000 g of TiO 2 pigment was used for each surface coating experiment at a concentration sufficient to give a specific gravity of about 1.3 (approximately 31%> TiO 2 solids content). Slurries were heated, under agitation, to 65°C, 75°C or 85°C and maintained at this temperature throughout the process (as shown in Table I).
• the pH was adjusted to 6.3 with HC1 and the product filtered and washed substantially free of salts.
• the pigments were split into two portions with one portion blended with 0.4%> TMP based upon TiO 2 weight and the other not treated with TMP. Pigments were dried overnight at 110 B 120°C, crushed through a 20 mesh screen and air micronized at a feed rate of 20g/minute at an injection/grind pressure of 130 psi. The pigments were then prepared into an acrylic based paint at a 40 % PVC (pigment to volume ratio) and the 20° gloss measured.
• FIG. 1 graphically illustrates the results of sample pigments prepared at 70°C and 85°C.
• the sample prepared at 70°C contained about 2.51% SiO 2 and 2.9% Al 2 O 3 (based upon the weight of TiO 2 pigment).
• the sample prepared at 85°C contained 2.48%) SiO 2 and 2.97% Al 2 O 3 (based upon the weight of TiO 2 pigment).
• the other reaction parameters, described in the previous example were identical for each pigment tested with the exception that steam micronization was used instead of low intensity air micronization. Steam micronization was performed at a temperature of 260°C and pressures of 150 to 160 psi to obtain pigments of the desired particle size. Steam to pigment ratios were about 1.7 to 3.0.

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  • 2001-04-12 AU AU2001255327A patent/AU2001255327A1/en not_active Abandoned
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