JP2008202040A - Method for manufacturing monodisperse microparticles - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method capable of giving a monodisperse resin particles with a high hydrophobicity, a very uniform particle diameter and a sharp particle diameter distribution, such that a hydrophilic component to give various kinds of bad influences on the performance does not remain in the inside of or on the surface of the particle. <P>SOLUTION: The method for manufacturing a resin particle (B) having a monodisperse particle diameter, is characterized in that the resin particles (B) are prepared by dispersing a dispersion phase (DP) consisting of a precursor (A) of a resin (a) or of an organic solvent solution of this precursor (A) into a continuous phase (CP) consisting of carbon dioxide (X) of a supercritical state through a microchannel (M), by removing the above organic solvent , thereafter by removing the carbon dioxide by means of depressing the pressure below the critical pressure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to monodispersed resin particles having a uniform particle diameter and a method for producing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for producing resin particles using a microchannel (M) with carbon dioxide in a supercritical state as a continuous phase (CP).

Conventionally, a resin solution in which a resin is dissolved in a solvent in advance is dispersed in an aqueous medium in the presence of a dispersing (auxiliary) agent such as inorganic particles, a surfactant, or a water-soluble polymer, and this is heated or reduced in pressure. A method of removing resin and obtaining resin particles is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
On the other hand, as a method for forming particles in a non-aqueous medium, a method of spraying a resin solution into a supercritical fluid is known (for example, see Patent Documents 3 and 4).
JP-A-2005-272779 JP-A-9-319144 WO97 / 31691 pamphlet WO95 / 01221 pamphlet

Even with the former method using a dispersant, it is possible to obtain particles having a fine particle size and a sharp particle size distribution, but at the time of production, the interface free energy in water is reduced or the dispersion stability in water is reduced. For the purpose of imparting, it is necessary to use a surfactant having a hydrophilic group (surfactant, polymer protective colloid, surfactant fine particles, etc.). When this surface active substance remains in the resin particle or on the particle surface, it contains water-soluble impurities such as a surfactant having a hydrophilic group, so the powder characteristics, electrical characteristics, thermal characteristics, chemistry of the resin particles There is a disadvantage that it adversely affects performance such as mechanical stability.
On the other hand, the latter method of spraying a resin solution into a supercritical fluid has a problem that it is difficult to obtain particles having a sharp particle size distribution.
An object of the present invention is to obtain resin particles in which hydrophilic components that have various adverse effects on performance do not remain in or on the resin particles and the particle size distribution is sharp.

As a result of intensive studies to solve these problems, the present inventors have reached the present invention.
That is, in the present invention, the dispersed phase (DP) composed of the precursor (A) of the resin (a) or the organic solvent solution of the precursor (A) is put into the continuous phase (CP) composed of carbon dioxide in a supercritical state. In a method for producing carbon resin and removing resin particles (B) by reducing the pressure below the critical pressure after dispersing and removing the organic solvent, the dispersion is performed via the microchannel (M). A method for producing monodispersed resin particles (B), wherein the phase (DP) is dispersed in supercritical carbon dioxide.

  The resin particles obtained by the production method of the present invention are resin particles that do not contain a surfactant having a hydrophilic group and have a sharp particle size distribution. For this reason, monodisperse resin particles having high hydrophobicity and excellent electrical characteristics and powder characteristics can be obtained.

The present invention is a production method capable of obtaining monodisperse resin particles having a very uniform particle diameter using a microchannel (M).
That is, the dispersed phase (DP) containing the precursor (A) of the resin (a) is dispersed in a continuous phase (CP) composed of carbon dioxide in a supercritical state via the microchannel (M), and the precursor Resin particles (B) can be produced by polymerizing (A).

As the resin (a) of the present invention, the precursor (A) is a resin that does not dissolve in the continuous phase (CP) and can be dispersed, and the resin (a) needs to be a resin that dissolves in the dispersed phase (DP). Yes, examples include polyurethane resin (a1), polyamide resin (a2), polyester resin (a3), and epoxy resin (a4).
Examples of the polyurethane resin (a1) include polyaddition products of a prepolymer (C) having an isocyanate group or a blocked isocyanate group as a reactive group and water, a polyol, or a polyamine active hydrogen-containing compound.

  Examples of the precursor (A) of the polyurethane resin (a1) include a mixture of a prepolymer having an isocyanate group or a blocked isocyanate group as a reactive group and a cured product (D) made of a polyol or a polyamine.

  The prepolymer (C) of the polyurethane resin (a1) is usually obtained by reacting the polyisocyanate compound (b) with the polyol (c), and usually both ends are isocyanate (NCO) groups. The polyisocyanate compound (b) and the polyol (c) have a molar ratio (b) / (c) of usually 2.0 to 1.2, preferably 2.0 to 1.5, more preferably 2.0. ~ 1.8. The terminal isocyanate group may be blocked before reacting with the curing agent, and is blocked with alcohol or phenol. The block may be removed by heating and may be accelerated by the catalyst.

  As the polyisocyanate compound (b) for the prepolymer (C), an aromatic polyisocyanate having 6 to 20 carbon atoms (excluding carbon in the NCO group, the same shall apply hereinafter), an aliphatic polyisocyanate having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, C4-C15 alicyclic polyisocyanate, C8-C15 araliphatic polyisocyanate and modified products of these polyisocyanates (urethane group, carbodiimide group, allophanate group, urea group, burette group, uretdione group) Ureitoimine groups, isocyanurate groups, oxazolidone group-containing modified products, etc.); and mixtures of two or more of these. Moreover, the polyisocyanate in which the isocyanate group of these compounds is blocked with alcohol or phenol may be used.

  Specific examples of the aromatic polyisocyanate include 1,3- and / or 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate, 2,4- and / or 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), crude TDI, and 2,4 ′. -And / or 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), crude MDI [crude diaminophenylmethane [condensation product of formaldehyde with an aromatic amine (aniline) or mixtures thereof; diaminodiphenylmethane and a small amount (eg 5 to 20 wt.] %) Of trifunctional or higher polyamines] phosgenates: polyallyl polyisocyanate (PAPI)], 1,5-naphthylene diisocyanate, 4,4 ′, 4 ″ -triphenylmethane triisocyanate, m- and p-isocyanatophenylsulfonyl isocyanate Sulfonate and the like.

  Specific examples of the aliphatic polyisocyanate include ethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), dodecamethylene diisocyanate, 1,6,11-undecane triisocyanate, 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate, Lysine diisocyanate, 2,6-diisocyanatomethyl caproate, bis (2-isocyanatoethyl) fumarate, bis (2-isocyanatoethyl) carbonate, 2-isocyanatoethyl-2,6-diisocyanatohexanoate And aliphatic polyisocyanates.

  Specific examples of the alicyclic polyisocyanate include isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), dicyclohexylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate (hydrogenated MDI), cyclohexylene diisocyanate, methylcyclohexylene diisocyanate (hydrogenated TDI), bis (2 -Isocyanatoethyl) -4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboxylate, 2,5- and / or 2,6-norbornane diisocyanate.

  Specific examples of the aromatic aliphatic polyisocyanate include m- and / or p-xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), α, α, α ', α'-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate (TMXDI), and the like.

  Examples of the modified polyisocyanate include urethane group, carbodiimide group, allophanate group, urea group, burette group, uretdione group, uretoimine group, isocyanurate group, and oxazolidone group-containing modified product. Specifically, modified MDI (urethane-modified MDI, carbodiimide-modified MDI, trihydrocarbyl phosphate-modified MDI, etc.), modified polyisocyanates such as urethane-modified TDI, and mixtures of two or more of these [for example, modified MDI and urethane-modified TDI (Combined use with an isocyanate-containing prepolymer)] is included.

  Of these, preferred are aromatic polyisocyanates having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, aliphatic polyisocyanates having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, and alicyclic polyisocyanates having 4 to 15 carbon atoms, and particularly preferred are TDI, MDI, HDI, hydrogenated MDI, and IPDI.

Examples of the polyol compound (c) for the prepolymer (C) include diol (c1).
Specifically, alkylene glycol (ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, octanediol, decanediol, dodecanediol, tetradecanediol , Neopentyl glycol, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanediol, etc.); alkylene ether glycol (diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene ether glycol, etc.); alicyclic ring Formula diol (1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, hydrogenated bisphenol A, etc.); Bisphenols (bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol S, etc.) Alkylene oxide (ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, etc.) adducts of the above alicyclic diols; alkylene oxide (ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, etc.) adducts of the above bisphenols; other polylactone diols (polyε -Caprolactone diol, etc.), polybutadiene diol, polyester diol (polyester diol synthesized from aliphatic or aromatic polyol, and aliphatic or aromatic polycarboxylic acid, etc.).

  In the case of a polyurethane resin, examples of the active hydrogen-containing compound (d) that is reacted with the prepolymer (C) and used as the curing agent (D) include water, polyol, polyamine, polycarboxylic acid, and polythiol.

Examples of the polyol used as the curing agent (D) include a diol and a trivalent or higher polyol (c2).
Examples of the diol include those similar to the diol (c1) mentioned as the polyol compound (c) for the prepolymer (C).
Among these, preferred are alkylene glycol adducts having 2 to 12 carbon atoms of alkylene glycol and bisphenols, and particularly preferred are polyester diols, alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols, and those having 2 to 12 carbon atoms. Combination with alkylene glycol.

Examples of the trivalent or higher polyol (c2) include 3 to 8 or higher polyhydric aliphatic alcohols (glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, etc.); trisphenols (trisphenol PA, etc.) ); Novolak resins (phenol novolak, cresol novolak, etc.); alkylene oxide adducts of the above trisphenols; alkylene oxide adducts of the above novolak resins.
Of these, preferred are trivalent to octavalent or higher polyhydric aliphatic alcohols and alkylene oxide adducts of novolac resins, and particularly preferred are alkylene oxide adducts of novolac resins.

Examples of the polycarboxylic acid (e) as the active hydrogen-containing compound (d) that can be used as the curing agent (D) include dicarboxylic acid (e1) and trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid (e2).
Dicarboxylic acid (e1) includes alkylene dicarboxylic acid (succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, dodecenyl succinic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanedicarboxylic acid, octadecanedicarboxylic acid, etc.); alkenylene dicarboxylic acid (maleic acid, fumaric acid, etc.) Branched alkylene dicarboxylic acid having 8 or more carbon atoms [dimer acid, alkenyl succinic acid (dodecenyl succinic acid, pentadecenyl succinic acid, octadecenyl succinic acid, etc.), alkyl succinic acid (decyl succinic acid, dodecyl succinic acid, octadecyl) Succinic acid); aromatic dicarboxylic acids (phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, etc.).
Of these, preferred are alkenylene dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and aromatic dicarboxylic acids having 8 to 20 carbon atoms.

  Examples of the trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid (e2) include aromatic polycarboxylic acids having 9 to 20 carbon atoms (such as trimellitic acid and pyromellitic acid). As the dicarboxylic acid (e1) or the trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid (e2), acid anhydrides or lower alkyl esters (methyl ester, ethyl ester, isopropyl ester, etc.) described above may be used.

  Examples of the polyamine (f) as the active hydrogen-containing compound (d) that can be used as the curing agent (D) include aliphatic polyamines (f1), alicyclic polyamines (f2), and aromatic polyamines (f3). , Polyamide polyamine (f4), polyether polyamine (f5) and the like.

  Examples of the aliphatic polyamine (f1) include alkylene diamines and polyalkylene polyamines having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, alicyclic or heterocyclic ring-containing aliphatic polyamines, and aromatic ring-containing aliphatic amines.

  Examples of the alkylene diamine include ethylene diamine, propylene diamine, trimethylene diamine, tetramethylene diamine, and hexamethylene diamine. Examples of the polyalkylene polyamine include diethylenetriamine, iminobispropylamine, bis (hexamethylene) triamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, and pentaethylenehexamine. Also, use these alkyl or hydroxyalkyl substituents (dialkylaminopropylamine, trimethylhexamethylenediamine, aminoethylethanolamine, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexamethylenediamine, methyliminobispropylamine, etc.). You can also.

Examples of the alicyclic or heterocyclic ring-containing aliphatic polyamine include 3,9-bis (3-aminopropyl) -2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro [5,5] undecane.
Examples of the aromatic ring-containing aliphatic amines include xylylenediamine and tetrachloro-p-xylylenediamine.

  Examples of the alicyclic polyamine (f2) include 1,3-diaminocyclohexane, isophorone diamine, mensen diamine, and 4,4′-methylene dicyclohexane diamine. In addition, examples of the heterocyclic polyamine include piperazine, N-aminoethylpiperazine, 1,4-diaminoethylpiperazine, 1,4bis (2-amino-2-methylpropyl) piperazine, and the like.

  Examples of the aromatic polyamine (f3) include an unsubstituted aromatic polyamine, an aromatic polyamine having a nucleus-substituted alkyl group, an aromatic polyamine having a nucleus-substituted electron withdrawing group, and an aromatic polyamine having a secondary amino group.

  Unsubstituted aromatic polyamines include 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-phenylenediamine, 2,4′- and 4,4′-diphenylmethanediamine, crude diphenylmethanediamine (polyphenylpolymethylenepolyamine), Diaminodiphenylsulfone, benzidine, thiodianiline, bis (3,4-diaminophenyl) sulfone, 2,6-diaminopyridine, m-aminobenzylamine, triphenylmethane-4,4 ', 4 "-triamine, naphthylenediamine, etc. Is mentioned.

  Examples of the aromatic polyamine having a nucleus-substituted alkyl group (an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, n- and i-propyl, and butyl) include 2,4- and 2,6-tolylenediamine, Crudetolylenediamine, diethyltolylenediamine, 4,4'-diamino-3,3'-dimethyldiphenylmethane, 4,4'-bis (o-toluidine), dianisidine, diaminoditolylsulfone, 1,3-dimethyl- 2,4-diaminobenzene, 1,3-diethyl-2,4-diaminobenzene, 1,3-dimethyl-2,6-diaminobenzene, 1,4-diethyl-2,5-diaminobenzene, 1,4- Diisopropyl-2,5-diaminobenzene, 1,4-dibutyl-2,5-diaminobenzene, 2,4-diaminomesitylene, 1,3,5 Triethyl-2,4-diaminobenzene, 1,3,5-triisopropyl-2,4-diaminobenzene, 1-methyl-3,5-diethyl-2,4-diaminobenzene, 1-methyl-3,5- Diethyl-2,6-diaminobenzene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diaminonaphthalene, 2,6-dimethyl-1,5-diaminonaphthalene, 2,6-diisopropyl-1,5-diaminonaphthalene, 2, 6-dibutyl-1,5-diaminonaphthalene, 3,3 ′, 5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine, 3,3 ′, 5,5′-tetraisopropylbenzidine, 3,3 ′, 5,5′-tetra Methyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3 ′, 5,5′-tetraethyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3 ′, 5,5′-tetraisopropyl-4 4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3 ', 5,5'-tetrabutyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,5-diethyl-3'-methyl-2', 4-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,5-diisopropyl -3'-methyl-2 ', 4-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3'-diethyl-2,2'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4'-diamino-3,3'-dimethyldiphenylmethane, 3,3', 5 , 5'-tetraethyl-4,4'-diaminobenzophenone, 3,3 ', 5,5'-tetraisopropyl-4,4'-diaminobenzophenone, 3,3', 5,5'-tetraethyl-4,4 Examples include '-diaminodiphenyl ether, 3,3', 5,5'-tetraisopropyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone. Moreover, you may use the mixture of these isomers.

  For aromatic polyamines having a nucleus-substituted electron withdrawing group, examples of the electron withdrawing group include halogens such as Cl, Br, I, and F, alkoxy groups such as methoxy and ethoxy, nitro groups, and the like. Specific examples of such polyamines include methylene bis-o-chloroaniline, 4-chloro-o-phenylenediamine, 2-chloro-1,4-phenylenediamine, 3-amino-4-chloroaniline, 4- Bromo-1,3-phenylenediamine, 2,5-dichloro-1,4-phenylenediamine, 5-nitro-1,3-phenylenediamine, 3-dimethoxy-4-aminoaniline, 4,4'-diamino-3 , 3'-dimethyl-5,5'-dibromo-diphenylmethane, 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine, 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine, bis (4-amino-3-chlorophenyl) oxide, bis (4-amino-2 -Chlorophenyl) propane, bis (4-amino-2-chlorophenyl) sulfone, bis (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl) Decane, bis (4-aminophenyl) sulfide, bis (4-aminophenyl) telluride, bis (4-aminophenyl) selenide, bis (4-amino-3-methoxyphenyl) disulfide, 4,4'-methylenebis (2 -Iodoaniline), 4,4'-methylenebis (2-bromoaniline), 4,4'-methylenebis (2-fluoroaniline), 4-aminophenyl-2-chloroaniline and the like.

  As an aromatic polyamine having a secondary amino group, a part or all of —NH 2 of the above aromatic polyamine is replaced by —NH—R ′ (R ′ is an alkyl group, for example, a lower alkyl group such as methyl or ethyl). Something changed. Specific examples include 4,4′-di (methylamino) diphenylmethane and 1-methyl-2-methylamino-4-aminobenzene.

  The polyamide polyamine (f4) is a low molecular weight polyamide polyamine obtained by condensation of a dicarboxylic acid (such as dimer acid) and an excess (more than 2 moles per mole of acid) polyamine (such as the above-mentioned alkylene diamine, polyalkylene polyamine). Etc.

  Examples of the polyether polyamine (f5) include hydrides of cyanoethylated polyether polyols (polyalkylene glycol and the like).

  The polyamine may be blocked with a detachable compound. For example, examples of the polyamine blocked with the detachable compound include the polyamines and ketones having 3 to 8 carbon atoms (acetone). , Methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and the like), aldimine compounds obtained from aldehyde compounds having 2 to 8 carbon atoms (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, etc.), enamine compounds, and oxazolidine compounds.

  Examples of the polythiol (g) as the active hydrogen-containing compound (d) that can be used as the curing agent (D) include ethylenedithiol, 1,4-butanedithiol, 1,6-hexanedithiol, and the like.

  Examples of the polyamide resin (a2) include polyaddition products of acid halide (E) and polyamine (F).

Examples of the acid halide (E) include acid halides derived from divalent or trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acids.
The polycarboxylic acid can be the same as the polycarboxylic acid (e) described above for the polyurethane resin (a1), and examples thereof include dicarboxylic acid (e1), preferably alkylene dicarboxylic acid, aromatic dicarboxylic acid, etc. Is mentioned. Examples of the halide include chloride, bromide, and iodide.
Specific examples include dicarboxylic acid dichlorides, dibromides, and diiodides.

  Moreover, as polyamine (F), the thing similar to the polyamine (f) mentioned above by the polyurethane resin (a1) can be used.

  Examples of the polyester resin (a3) include polyaddition products of an acid halide (E) and a polyol (G).

As this acid halide (E), the same acid halide as described above for the polyamide resin (a2) can be used.
Specific examples include dicarboxylic acid dichlorides, dibromides, and diiodides.

As the polyol, those similar to the polyol (c) described above for the polyurethane resin (a1) can be used.
Specific examples include diol (c1) and trivalent or higher polyol (c2). As the diol, an alkylene oxide having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenols are preferably used.

  As the epoxy resin (a4), polyepoxide ring-opening polymer, polyepoxide and active hydrogen-containing compound {water, polyol (the diol and trivalent or higher polyol), dicarboxylic acid, trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid, polyamine, polythiol And the like, or a cured product of a polyepoxide and a dicarboxylic acid or an acid anhydride of a trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid.

The volume average particle size of the monodispersed resin particles (B) of the present invention is preferably 0.1 to 30 μm, more preferably 0.5 to 30 μm from the viewpoint of sharpening the particle size distribution.
The volume average particle size can be measured with a particle size distribution measuring apparatus using laser diffraction or laser scattering.

In the particle size distribution of the monodispersed resin particles (B) of the present invention, the variation coefficient of the particle size is preferably 0.1 to 10%, more preferably 0.1 to 5%, particularly preferably 0.1 to 3. %.
Here, the variation coefficient is a value calculated from the following calculation formula.
Coefficient of variation = (standard deviation / volume average particle size) × 100

  Examples of the organic solvent (U) for dissolving the precursor (A) of the resin (a) include aromatic hydrocarbon solvents such as toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, and tetralin; n-hexane, n-heptane, mineral spirit, cyclohexane, etc. Aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon solvents such as methyl chloride, methyl bromide, methyl iodide, methylene dichloride, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, and other halogen solvents; ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, methyl propionate , Ester solvents such as ethyl propionate, methoxybutyl acetate, methyl cellosolve acetate, ethyl cellosolve acetate, etc .; diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethyl cellosolve, butyl cellosolve, propylene glycol mono Ether solvents such as chill ether; ketone solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, di-n-butyl ketone and cyclohexanone; methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, t-butanol, 2 -Alcohol solvents such as ethylhexyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol; amide solvents such as formamide, dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; sulfoxide solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide; heterocyclic compounds solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone; The mixed solvent of seed | species or more is mentioned.

  In the present invention, the organic solvent (U) used in the dispersed phase is not particularly limited as long as it dissolves the precursor (A) of the resin (a), but it is desirable that it is not miscible with supercritical carbon dioxide. Since carbon dioxide in the supercritical state has low polarity, it is preferable to use a highly polar solvent so as not to be miscible therewith. Preferable organic solvents for the dispersed phase satisfying such conditions include methanol, ethanol, formamide, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide and the like.

In order to stably disperse the organic solvent solution of the precursor (A) in the carbon dioxide (X) in the supercritical state, it is preferable to use the hydrophobic dispersion stabilizer (I).
As such a hydrophobic dispersion stabilizer (I), a compound having an affinity for carbon dioxide is preferable. For example, at least a dimethylsiloxane group, a fluorine-containing group, a carboxyl group, a polyoxyethylene chain, a polyoxypropylene chain, etc. A compound having one kind of functional group is preferred.
Among these, a comb polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 1,000,000 having a functional group containing at least one of a dimethylsiloxane group and a fluorine-containing functional group in the side chain is a hydrophobic dispersion. More preferable as the stabilizer (I).
Specifically, a copolymer of at least one monomer having a dimethylsiloxane group or a fluorine-containing monomer and a vinyl monomer or oligomer is preferable. The form of copolymerization may be random, block or graft, but block or graft is preferred.
The dispersion stabilizer (I) may be added to either the continuous phase (CP) or the dispersed phase (DP).

In the resin (a) of the present invention, other additives (pigments, fillers, antistatic agents, colorants, release agents, charge control agents, ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, antiblocking agents, heat stabilizers) Or flame retardant).
In this method, it is preferable that an additive is mixed in a solvent solution of a resin precursor to form a dispersed phase (DP) and then dispersed in a continuous phase (CP).

  The microchannel (M) has a structure in which a dispersed phase and a continuous phase are separated by a partition having a through hole (flow channel), and the dispersed phase is pushed into the continuous phase through the through hole (flow channel). If it exists, it will not specifically limit, A well-known thing (For example, the microchannel as described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2000-15070 or Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2006-110505 is mentioned.) Can be used. The dispersed phase extruded through the microchannel becomes droplets and is dispersed in the continuous phase.

It is known that the surface of the microchannel (M) preferably has affinity for the continuous phase. Since the supercritical carbon dioxide used for the continuous phase in the present invention is hydrophobic, the surface of the microchannel may be subjected to a hydrophobic treatment.
The method of hydrophobizing is not particularly limited, but if the material of the microchannel is glass or silicon, for example, treatment with a silane coupling agent may be mentioned. Specifically, it may be hydrophobized by a known method using a silane coupling agent such as octyltriethoxysilane, octadecyltrichlorosilane, hexamethyldisilazane and the like.

  In the present invention, carbon dioxide (X) in a supercritical state is used as a solvent for the continuous phase (CP). Carbon dioxide in a supercritical state represents carbon dioxide existing under temperature and pressure conditions above the critical point (temperature = 31 ° C., pressure = 7.4 MPa).

The pressure of the continuous phase (CP) is preferably 7.4 MPa or higher in order to satisfactorily disperse the dispersed phase (DP) in the supercritical carbon dioxide (X), which is preferable from the viewpoint of equipment cost and operation cost. Is 40 MPa or less. More preferably, it is 7.5-35 MPa, More preferably, it is 8-30 MPa, Most preferably, it is 8.5-25 MPa, Most preferably, it is 9-20 MPa.
The temperature and pressure of (CP) are within a range in which the precursor (A) of the resin (a) is not dissolved in the carbon dioxide (X) in the supercritical state and the droplets of the precursor (A) are not coalesced. It is preferable to set by. Usually, the precursor (A) tends to not dissolve in the supercritical carbon dioxide (X) at lower temperatures and lower pressures, and the droplets of the precursor (A) tend to coalesce at higher temperatures and higher pressures.

  In order to adjust the physical property values (viscosity, diffusion coefficient, dielectric constant, solubility, interfacial tension, etc.) as the continuous phase, other gases may be appropriately contained in the continuous phase (CP). For example, nitrogen, helium, argon, An inert gas such as air can be mentioned.

The viscosity of the dispersed phase (DP) is preferably 1 to 5000 mPa · s (measured by a B-type viscometer, measurement temperature 25 ° C.), more preferably 10 to 1000 mPa · s, from the viewpoint of particle size uniformity.
When the viscosity of the dispersed phase (DP) is high, it is preferable to mix with the organic solvent (U) described above, or to reduce the viscosity to the above preferred range by increasing the temperature.

The temperature of the dispersed phase (DP) is preferably 30 ° C. or higher in order to prevent carbon dioxide from undergoing a phase transition in the pipe during decompression and block the flow path, and thermal degradation of the resin particles (B). In order to prevent this, 200 ° C. or lower is preferable. Furthermore, 30-150 degreeC is preferable, More preferably, it is 34-130 degreeC, Especially preferably, it is 35-100 degreeC, Most preferably, it is 40-80 degreeC.
The difference between the temperature of the dispersed phase (DP) and the temperature of the continuous phase (CP) is not particularly limited, but a smaller one is preferable.

A method for polymerizing the precursor (A) in the precursor (A) or a solvent solution thereof dispersed in carbon dioxide (X) in a supercritical state is not particularly limited. For example, a method is preferred in which the two components to be reacted are mixed and dispersed at the same time as the precursor (A) or a solvent solution thereof is dispersed in (X) to simultaneously obtain a resin particle (B). By the polymerization reaction, a dispersion (Y) in which the resin particles (B) are dispersed in carbon dioxide (X) in a supercritical state is obtained.
The reaction may be completed before depressurization, or may be allowed to react to some extent, and after depressurizing to take out (B), it may be completed by aging in a thermostatic bath or the like. Moreover, a well-known catalyst can be used as needed. Specifically, for example, in the case of a reaction between a compound having an isocyanate group and an active hydrogen-containing compound, dibutyltin laurate, dioctyltin laurate and the like can be mentioned. The polymerization temperature is preferably 30 to 100 ° C, more preferably 40 to 80 ° C.

  When obtaining the resin particles (B) from the dispersion (Y) in which the resin particles (B) are dispersed in the supercritical carbon dioxide (X), the supercritical carbon dioxide is removed under reduced pressure. At this time, it is possible to reduce the pressure stepwise by providing multiple pressure-controlled containers in multiple stages, or to reduce the pressure to normal temperature and normal pressure at once.

When the resin particles (B) contain the organic solvent (U) used for the above-mentioned dispersed phase, it is desirable to remove this organic solvent.
Examples of the method for removing the organic solvent (U) include a method in which warm air or steam is brought into contact with the resin particles (B), and a method in which the organic solvent is extracted from the resin particles (B) into a carbon dioxide phase.
An extraction method is preferable from the viewpoint that coalescence between the resin particles (B) hardly occurs. Further, an operation of extracting the organic solvent by replacing carbon dioxide containing the organic solvent with carbon dioxide containing no organic solvent is repeatedly performed. It is preferable.

  The method for collecting the resin particles (B) is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method of collecting with a filter and a method of collecting with a cyclone.

  EXAMPLES The present invention will be further described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the following description, “parts” represents parts by weight and “%” represents% by weight.

In the following examples, a microchannel made by EPTEC Co., Ltd. was used, and either a WMS1 type with a through-hole diameter (channel diameter) of 30 μm or a WMS8 type with a channel diameter of 2.5 μm was used.
The conceptual diagram is as shown in FIG.

Production Example 1 <Prepolymer Production>
In a reaction vessel equipped with a thermometer, a stirrer and a nitrogen blowing tube, 575 parts of polybutylene adipate having a number average molecular weight (hereinafter referred to as Mn) of 1,000, 383 parts of polyhexamethylene isophthalate having an Mn of 900, After 16.8 parts of 1-octanol was charged and purged with nitrogen, the mixture was heated to 110 ° C. with stirring and melted, and cooled to 60 ° C. Subsequently, 242 parts of hexamethylene diisocyanate was added and reacted at 85 ° C. for 6 hours. Next, after cooling to 60 ° C., 217 parts of tetrahydrofuran (hereinafter referred to as THF), 2.5 parts of stabilizer [Irganox 1010 manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd.] and 15.3 parts of titanium oxide [Ishihara Sangyo] TYPEKE R-820 manufactured by KK) was added and mixed uniformly to obtain a urethane prepolymer solution having isocyanate groups at both ends. This is designated as [Prepolymer 1]. The resulting prepolymer solution had a free isocyanate content of 2.2% and a solid content concentration of 88%.

Production Example 2 <Production of Curing Agent>
In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, 50 parts of ethylenediamine and 50 parts of methyl isobutyl ketone were charged and reacted at 50 ° C. for 5 hours. Let the obtained ketimine compound be [curing agent 1].

Production Example 3 <Production of dispersion stabilizer solution>
700 parts of THF was charged into a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer, and the air in the reaction vessel was purged with nitrogen, followed by heating to a reflux temperature. Next, 150 parts of methyl methacrylate, 150 parts of methacryl-modified silicone (functional group equivalent: 12,000 g / mol, number average molecular weight 12,000, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd .: X22-2426), azobisisobutyronitrile After 5 parts of the mixture was properly placed in the reaction vessel in 2 hours, it was aged at reflux temperature for 6 hours to obtain a dispersion stabilizer solution. The weight average molecular weight was 43,000.

Comparative Production Example After mixing 1,000 parts of [Prepolymer 1] obtained in Production Example 1 with 29 parts of hexamethylenediamine and 1,000 parts of THF in a normal reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer, the mixture was reacted at 50 ° C. It was. Next, most of the THF is distilled off while stirring under reduced pressure, and when the viscosity becomes so high that stirring is not possible, it is removed from the reaction vessel, divided into small portions, spread on a pallet, and again in a vacuum dryer. The remaining THF was completely distilled off under reduced pressure to obtain a urethane resin having a weight average molecular weight of 150,000.

Example 1
In the experimental apparatus of FIG. 2, first, the valves V1 and V2 were closed, carbon dioxide (purity 99.99%) was introduced into the particle recovery tank T4 from the cylinder B2 and the pump P4, and the pressure was adjusted to 10 MPa and 40 ° C. Further, 150.0 parts of [Prepolymer 1] obtained in Production Example 1 in the solution tank T1, 17.1 parts of the ketimine compound obtained in Production Example 2, and 40.0 parts of the dispersion stabilizer solution obtained in Production Example 3 were used. , 130.0 parts of dimethylformamide (hereinafter referred to as DMF) was charged and mixed by stirring to obtain a resin precursor solution. In addition, 2.3 parts of water and 20.4 parts of DMF were charged into the solution tank T2 and mixed by stirring.

  Carbon dioxide was introduced into the dispersion tank T3 from the cylinder B1 and the pump P3, and adjusted to 15 MPa and 40 ° C. Further, carbon dioxide was introduced into the particle recovery tank T4 from the cylinder B2 and the pump P4 and adjusted to 10 MPa and 40 ° C. Next, a mixture of water and DMF in tank T2 was introduced into dispersed phase T3 from pump P2. Thereafter, the resin precursor solution in the tank T1 was introduced into the dispersion tank T3 at 15 MPa via the microchannel WMS1 type from the pump P1, and the droplets of the resin precursor solution were dispersed in supercritical carbon dioxide. After reacting at 60 ° C. for 4 hours, the valve V1 was opened, the dispersion was introduced from the dispersion tank T3 to the particle recovery tank T4, and V1 was closed when the pressure became constant.

Next, the solvent DMF and THF are extracted from the resin particles containing the solvent by introducing the carbon dioxide in the cylinder B2 into the particle recovery tank T4 by the pump P4 and maintaining the pressure at 10 MPa by the pressure adjustment valve V2. Removed. In this operation, the introduction of carbon dioxide was stopped when 8 times the amount of carbon dioxide introduced into the dispersion tank T3 was introduced into the particle recovery tank T4. Carbon dioxide containing the extracted solvent was discharged into the solvent trap tank T5, and the resin particles were captured by the filter F1.
Thereafter, the pressure regulating valve V2 was opened little by little, the inside of the particle recovery tank was reduced to atmospheric pressure to remove carbon dioxide, and the urethane resin particles (B-1) of the present invention supplemented by the filter F1 were obtained.

Example 2
A solution tank T1 is charged with 184.1 parts of bis (chloroformic acid) 1,4-phenylene, 62.1 parts of ethylene glycol, 40.0 parts of the dispersion stabilizer solution obtained in Production Example 3, and 130 parts of DMF, and stirred and mixed. Thus, a resin precursor solution was obtained.
Next, as in Example 1, carbon dioxide was introduced into the dispersion tank T3 from the cylinder B1 and the pump P3, and the pressure was adjusted to 15 MPa and 40 ° C. Then, the resin precursor solution was transferred from the tank T1 and the pump P1 to the microchannel WMS1. After introducing into T3 through a mold and reacting at 200 ° C. for 6 hours, solvent extraction and decompression were performed to obtain polyester resin particles (B-2) of the present invention.

Example 3
Urethane resin particles (B-3) of the present invention were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the microchannel used was changed from WMS1 type to WMS8 type.

Comparative Example 1
After the temperature of the resin dissolution tank 500 ml, which has a stirrer and a temperature measuring device and can be set to a tank internal pressure of 30 MPa and a tank internal temperature of 290 ° C., is increased to 150 ° C. Melted. Next, molten resin and carbon dioxide in a supercritical state were injected into a static mixer having an inner diameter of 5 mm and 30 elements using a pressure pump, and the internal pressure of the static mixer was set to 15.0 MPa.
Urethane resin particles (B-4) for comparison are discharged by discharging a mixture of carbon dioxide and resin from a nozzle with a hole diameter of 0.5 mm attached to the tip of the static mixer into an atmosphere at 20 ° C. under atmospheric pressure. Obtained.

<Measurement of physical properties>
The resin particles (B-1), (B-2), (B-3) obtained in Examples 1 to 3 and the resin particles (B-4) obtained in Comparative Example 1 were dispersed in water to obtain a volume average. The variation coefficient of the particle size and the particle size distribution based on the volume was measured with a particle size distribution meter (manufactured by Coulter Inc .; Multisizer III). The measurement results are shown in Table 1.

  As is apparent from Table 1, the resin particles obtained from the production method of the present invention are monodisperse fine particles having a very small variation coefficient of particle size distribution.

    Resin particles obtained from the production method of the present invention include paint additives, cosmetic additives, paper coating additives, slush molding resins, powder paints, spacers for electronic component production, catalyst carriers, electrophotography, and the like. Useful as toner, electrostatic recording toner, electrostatic printing toner, standard particles for electronic measuring instruments, electronic paper particles, medical diagnostic carriers, chromatographic fillers, electrorheological fluid particles, and other resin particles for molding materials . In particular, spacers for manufacturing electronic components, electrophotographic toners, electrostatic recording toners, electrostatic printing toners, standard particles for electronic measuring devices, particles for electronic paper, and medical diagnostic carriers are required to have uniform particle sizes. Therefore, the production method of the present invention is extremely useful in terms of monodispersity of the particle diameter.

An example of the shape of the microchannel (M) used for producing the monodisperse resin particles of the present invention, and a perspective view of the dispersed phase, continuous phase, and droplets as seen from obliquely above and a front view seen from the front FIG. Through the through hole of the microchannel (M), the lower dispersed phase (DP) is pushed out toward the upper continuous phase (CP) (D1), and droplets are generated (D2). It is a flowchart of the experimental apparatus used for preparation of the monodispersed resin particle in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

CP: Continuous phase DP: Dispersed phase D1: Droplets being generated D2: Generated droplets M: Microchannel T1: Resin solution tank T2: Solution tank T3: Dispersion tank (maximum operating pressure 20 MPa, maximum operating temperature 200 ° C., (With stirrer)
T4: Particle recovery tank (maximum operating pressure 20 MPa, maximum operating temperature 100 ° C.)
T5: Solvent trap F1: Ceramic filter (mesh: 0.5 μm)
B1, B2: Carbon dioxide cylinder P1, P2: Solution pump P3, P4: Carbon dioxide pump V1: Valve V2: Pressure adjustment valve

Claims (9)

  A dispersed phase (DP) composed of a precursor (A) of a resin (a) or an organic solvent solution of the precursor (A) is dispersed in a continuous phase (CP) composed of carbon dioxide in a supercritical state, and the organic In the method of producing resin particles (B) by removing the carbon dioxide by reducing the pressure below the critical pressure after removing the solvent, the dispersed phase (DP) is passed through the microchannel (M). A method for producing monodisperse resin particles (B), characterized by being dispersed in supercritical carbon dioxide. The method for producing resin particles according to claim 1, wherein the coefficient of variation of the particle size distribution of the resin particles (B) is 0.1 to 10%. The method for producing resin particles according to claim 1, wherein the resin particles (B) have a volume average particle size of 0.5 to 30 µm.   The method for producing resin particles according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resin (a) is at least one resin selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane resin, a polyamide resin, a polyester resin, and an epoxy resin.   The precursor (A) is a mixture of a prepolymer (C) containing a reactive group and a curing agent (D), a mixture of an acid halide (E) and a polyamine (F), and an acid halide (E) and a polyol ( The method for producing resin particles according to claim 4, which is at least one mixture selected from the group consisting of the mixture of G).   The reactive group-containing prepolymer (C) has at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of an isocyanate group, a blocked isocyanate group and an epoxy group, and the curing agent (D) is an active hydrogen. The method for producing resin particles according to claim 5, which is a compound (H ') obtained by blocking the containing compound (H) or the active hydrogen-containing compound (H).   Further, the dispersion phase (DP) is dispersed in the continuous phase (CP) in the presence of a hydrophobic dispersion stabilizer (I), and the hydrophobic dispersion stabilizer (I) comprises a functional group containing a fluorine atom and The production method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is a polymer compound having a dimethylsiloxane group in the molecule and having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 1,000,000. The production according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the hydrophobic dispersion stabilizer (I) is a comb-type polymer compound in which a functional group containing a fluorine atom and / or a dimethylsiloxane group is bonded to a side chain in the molecule. Method.
  A spacer for producing an electronic component, an electrophotographic toner, comprising the resin particles obtained by the production method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the resin particles (B) have a particle diameter of 0.5 to 30 µm. , Electrostatic recording toner, electrostatic printing toner, standard particle for electronic measuring instrument, particle for electronic paper or medical diagnostic carrier.

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