Invented by Peter Craig Venema, Velox Flow LLC

The market for multifunctional superhydrophobic particles for chemical adhesion is experiencing significant growth and is expected to continue expanding in the coming years. These particles, which possess unique properties that make them highly water-repellent and capable of forming strong chemical bonds, have a wide range of applications across various industries. Superhydrophobic particles are engineered at the nanoscale level, allowing for precise control over their size, shape, and surface chemistry. This level of customization enables the particles to be tailored for specific applications, making them highly versatile and adaptable. The particles are typically made from materials such as silica, polymers, or metals, and their surface is modified to exhibit superhydrophobic properties. One of the key drivers of the market for multifunctional superhydrophobic particles is the growing demand for advanced coatings and surface treatments. These particles can be incorporated into coatings to enhance their water-repellent properties, making them ideal for applications in the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries. The particles can also improve the durability and longevity of coatings by providing chemical adhesion, preventing delamination and corrosion. Another significant application of multifunctional superhydrophobic particles is in the field of self-cleaning surfaces. These particles can be used to create self-cleaning coatings for various surfaces, including glass, textiles, and ceramics. The superhydrophobic properties of the particles enable water and other liquids to roll off the surface, carrying away dirt, dust, and other contaminants. This self-cleaning capability has numerous applications in industries such as consumer electronics, healthcare, and food processing. The multifunctional nature of these particles extends beyond water-repellency and self-cleaning properties. They can also be functionalized to possess other desirable characteristics, such as antimicrobial properties, UV resistance, or electrical conductivity. This versatility opens up opportunities for their use in a wide range of applications, including electronics, energy storage, and biomedical devices. In terms of market dynamics, the demand for multifunctional superhydrophobic particles is driven by the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. These particles offer a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional surface treatments, such as toxic chemicals or energy-intensive processes. Additionally, the growing awareness of the importance of water conservation and pollution prevention further fuels the demand for superhydrophobic particles, as they can significantly reduce water usage and minimize the need for harsh cleaning agents. The market for multifunctional superhydrophobic particles is highly competitive, with several key players actively involved in research and development. Companies are continuously investing in innovation to improve the performance and expand the range of applications for these particles. Additionally, collaborations between academia and industry are driving advancements in this field, further propelling market growth. In conclusion, the market for multifunctional superhydrophobic particles for chemical adhesion is witnessing rapid growth due to their unique properties and versatile applications. As industries increasingly prioritize sustainability and efficiency, the demand for these particles is expected to soar. With ongoing research and development efforts, the market is poised for further expansion, offering exciting opportunities for both existing and emerging players in the industry.

The Velox Flow LLC invention works as follows

The present invention provides a multifunctional particles and methods for forming them. The multifunctional particles includes a particle surface; a first moiety coupled with the surface, having atleast one substantially waterphobic appendage and a second moiety attached to the surface, having atleast one appendage comprising both a reactive group and a substantially hydrophilic repeating units, whereby, the particle is substantially superhydrophobic due to the substantially waterproof appendage and chemically reactive due to the reactive group. Also, antimicrobial groups can be coupled to surface.

Background for Multifunctional superhydrophobic particle for chemical adhesion

The self-assembled monolayer of fluorocarbons and saturated hydrocarbons is highly inert, preventing the particles from chemically bonding with anything. Fluorinated diatomaceous Earth (FDE), which is commonly used in polymer solutions, is a common component of current coating technologies. The particles can be easily removed from the surface by rubbing. The surface of the polymer is usually porous and rough. The production of these surfaces is also inefficient, because the particles embedded in the polymer are not on the surface.

The following is a simplified overview of one or several embodiments to give a basic understanding. This summary does not provide an exhaustive overview of all the contemplated embodiments. It is also not intended to identify critical or key elements in all embodiments or define their scope. The summary is intended to simplify some concepts in one or more embodiments as a precursor to a more detailed description later.

In one embodiment, there is provided a multifunctional particles. The multifunctional particle includes, in one embodiment, a particle surface; a first moiety attached to the surface, having atleast one substantially hydrophobic end; and a secondary moiety coupled with the surface, having atleast one appendage having a reactive function group and substantially hydrophilic repetition unit. As a consequence, the particle becomes superhydrophobic due to the substantially waterphobic end, is chemically reactive because of the reactive group, and migrates to the surface of a matrix that contains the

In an aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein the particle is a SiO2-containing particles selected from the group consisting diatomaceous Earth, fumed silicon, fused silicon, and rice husk Ash.

In some embodiments, the particles are selected from a group consisting of glass, quartz, aluminum, aluminium oxide, zirconium dioxide, alumino silicate, copper, lead, talc and an inorganic oxide. Other materials include iron asbestos, steel, nickel, zinc zinc oxide and lead.

In a further aspect, either alone or in combination, with any of those aspects previously described, the first moiety comprises a functional group anti-microbial.

In a further aspect, either alone or combined with any previous aspects of the embodiment, the particle comprises a third moiety attached to the surface, and at least one of its appendages contains an anti-microbial group.

In a further aspect, either alone or in combination, with any of previous aspects, of the embodiment of the invention, the moiety of the particle is the reaction product with the 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl dimethyloctadecylammonium chloride.

In another aspect of the invention, either alone or combined with any previous aspect of the invention, the hydrophilic repeating element comprises a group of functional groups selected from the group consisting oxyethylene and Polyethylene Glycol.

In a further embodiment of the first invention, either alone or in combination, the hydrophilic repeated unit is placed between the reactive functional groups and the particle.

In a further aspect of the first embodiment, alone or in combination with any of the previous aspects of the first embodiment, the second moiety is a reaction product of the particle with a member selected from the group consisting of amino-functional hydrocarbon silanes, N-(6-aminohexyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, aminohexylaminoethyltrimethoxysilane, aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-(2-Aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, methyacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane, and combinations thereof.

In another aspect of the 1st embodiment, alone or combined with any of previous aspects of the 1st embodiment, the 2nd moiety comprises aminesilanes (olefinsilanes), anhydride silanes (epoxy silanes), halogensilanes(hydroxylsilanes), dipodalsilanes(acrylate silanes), sulfur-containingsilanes(water based silanes), isocyanatesilane

In another aspect of the embodiment of the first, either alone or in combination, the moiety of the first comprises a product of a particle’s reaction with a molecule from the structure

Xy(CH3)(3-y)SiLR

where y is between 1 and 3

L is a linking group. It is?CH2CH2, or?CH2CH2CH2, or?CH2CH2O. Or if you prefer, it’s?CH2CH2C (O),??CH2CH2CH2C (O), or??CH2CH2CH2C C(O); and?

(CF2)nCF3 or? “R is? (CF(CF3)OCF2)nCF2CF3, where n is 0 to 24.

In a further aspect of the first embodiment, alone or in combination with any of the previous aspects of the first embodiment, the first moiety comprises a reaction product of the particle with 1H, 1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane.

In a further aspect of the first embodiment, alone or in combination with any of the previous aspects of the first embodiment, the second moiety a reaction product of the particle with N-3-[(amino(polypropylenoxy)]aminopropyltrimethoxysilane.

In a second embodiment, there is a particle. In some embodiments the particle comprises a surface, a first moiety attached to the surface, having an antimicrobial function group and at least one substantially water-repellent appendage; and a secondary moiety attached to the surface, having at least a single appendage comprising the reactive functional groups, such that the particle is chemically reactive due to the reactive functional groups, and antimicrobial due to the antimicrobial functional groups.

In one aspect of the second embodiment the particle has a third moiety attached to the surface with at least one appendage containing a repeating unit that is substantially hydrophilic.

Click here to view the patent on Google Patents.