Stabilized monomer dispersion containing inorganic oxide nanoparticles with high refractive index and its preparation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stabilized monomer dispersion containing inorganic oxide nanoparticles with high refractive index in which the refractive index of the inorganic oxide nanoparticles is greater than 1.65 and the average particle size of the high refractive inorganic oxide nanoparticles ranges from 1 to 100 nm and its content is in a range of from 1.0% by weight to 10.0% by weight based on the total weight of the monomer dispersion. The present invention also relates to a process for preparing the stabilized monomer dispersion containing high refractive inorganic oxide nanoparticles.

1 . A stabilized monomer dispersion containing inorganic oxide nanoparticles with high refractive index, wherein the refractive index of the inorganic oxide nanoparticles is greater than 1.65, the average particle size of the inorganic oxide nanoparticles is in a range of from 1 to 100 nm and its content is in a range of from 1.0% by weight to 10.0% by weight based on the total weight of the monomer dispersion. 
     
     
         2 . The stabilized monomer dispersion of  claim 1 , wherein the average particle size of the inorganic oxide nanoparticles is in a range of from 2 to 50 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The stabilized monomer dispersion of  claim 1 , wherein the inorganic oxide nanoparticles are in an amount of from 1.0% by weight to 8.0% by weight based on the total weight of the monomer dispersion. 
     
     
         4 . The stabilized monomer dispersion of  claim 1 , wherein the monomer contained in the dispersion is a monomer which is liquid at a temperature of from 0 to 50° C. 
     
     
         5 . The stabilized monomer dispersion of  claim 4 , wherein the monomer is at least one selected from the group consisting of a monomer containing an ethylenic functional group, an electrically conductive monomer and a polycondensation reactive monomer. 
     
     
         6 . The stabilized monomer dispersion of  claim 1 , wherein the monomer dispersion can be further polymerized in the presence of a polymerization initiator to form a polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The stabilized monomer dispersion of  claim 1 , wherein the inorganic oxide nanoparticles of the high refractive index are selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide and cerium dioxide. 
     
     
         8 . A process for preparing a stabilized monomer dispersion containing inorganic oxide nanoparticles with a high refractive index greater than 1.65, the process comprising the steps of: condensing and then hydrolyzing an alkoxide precursor corresponding to the inorganic oxide in a reactive monomer serving as a solvent in the presence of an chelating agent and water at a temperature of from 0 to 50° C. to produce a dispersion consisting of the monomer and inorganic oxide nanoparticles dispersed therein, wherein the equivalent ratio of the water to the alkoxide is equal to or less than 3, and the equivalent ratio of the chelating agent to the alkoxide is at least 2. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the inorganic oxide nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, and cerium dioxide. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the alkoxide precursor is represented by X(OR) 4 , wherein R's are the same or different and represent a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and X is Ti, Zr, or Ce. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the alkoxide is titanium tetraisopropoxide or titanium tetrabutoxide. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the alkoxide is zirconium tetraethoxide or zirconium tetrapropoxide. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the chelating agent is a compound having a carboxyl (—COOH) functional group. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the chelating agent is acetic acid, citric acid, acrylic acid, or methacrylic acid.