# US 9,040,621 B2 · Aqueous dispersions of microgel encapsulated particles utilizing hyperbranched acrylic polymers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,040,621 B2 - Document ID: US9040621B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/834,804 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2014-09-18 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc. - Applicants: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc. - Inventors: David R. Fenn; Dennis L. Faler; Linda Anderson; Tety Roper - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9040621B2 ## CPC - C09D 7/62: modified by treatment with other compounds - C08K 3/22: of metals - C08K 5/3417: condensed with carbocyclic rings - C08K 5/3437: condensed with carbocyclic rings - C08K 5/3465: condensed with carbocyclic rings - C09C 1/24: Oxides of iron - C09C 1/3072: {Treatment with macro-molecular organic compounds} - C09C 1/3676: {Treatment with macro-molecular organic compounds} - C09C 1/407: {Aluminium oxides or hydroxides} - C09C 3/10: Treatment with macromolecular organic compounds {(C09C3/006 takes precedence)} - C09D 5/022: {Emulsions, e.g. oil in water} - C09D 133/08: Homopolymers or copolymers of acrylic acid esters - C01P 2006/22: Rheological behaviour as dispersion, e.g. viscosity, sedimentation stability - C08K 9/10: Encapsulated ingredients - C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D) - C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) - C09C: TREATMENT OF INORGANIC MATERIALS, OTHER THAN FIBROUS FILLERS, TO ENHANCE THEIR PIGMENTING OR FILLING PROPERTIES (treatment of materials specially adapted to enhance their filling properties in mortars, concrete or artificial stone C04B14/00, C04B18/00, C04B20/00); PREPARATION OF CARBON BLACK {; PREPARATION OF INORGANIC MATERIALS WHICH ARE NO SINGLE CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS AND WHICH ARE MAINLY USED AS PIGMENTS OR FILLERS} - C01P: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF SOLID INORGANIC COMPOUNDS ## Abstract An aqueous dispersion includes particles at least partially encapsulated in a microgel where the microgel is prepared from a hyperbranched acrylic polymer. In addition, a method for making an aqueous dispersion includes: (1) mixing in an aqueous medium: (a) particles, (b) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and (c) a water-dispersible hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation; and (2) polymerizing the at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and water-dispersible hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation to at least partially encapsulate the particles in a microgel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aqueous dispersion comprising particles at least partially encapsulated in a microgel, wherein the microgel is formed from a hyperbranched acrylic polymer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The aqueous dispersion of claim 1, wherein the particles comprise inorganic particles. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The aqueous dispersion of claim 2, wherein the inorganic particles comprise titanium dioxide, alumina, silica, and/or iron oxide. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The aqueous dispersion of claim 1, wherein the particles comprise organic particles. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The aqueous dispersion of claim 4, wherein the organic particles comprise organic pigments comprising perylenes, phthalocyanines, isoindolines, quinacridones, and/or indanthrones. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The aqueous dispersion of claim 1, wherein the particles comprise nanoparticles. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The aqueous dispersion of claim 1, wherein the microgel is prepared from a reaction mixture comprising: (i) a hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation; and (ii) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The aqueous dispersion of claim 7, wherein the hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation is prepared from reactants comprising: (i) an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid; and (ii) a monomer with more than one ethylenic unsaturation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The aqueous dispersion of claim 7, wherein the hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation is water-dispersible. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The aqueous dispersion of claim 7, wherein the hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation has a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000 grams per mole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The aqueous dispersion of claim 7, wherein the hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation exhibits an alpha parameter derived from the Mark-Houwink equation of 0.2 to 0.7. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The aqueous dispersion of claim 11, wherein the hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation exhibits an alpha parameter derived from the Mark-Houwink equation of 0.3 to 0.6. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The aqueous dispersion of claim 1, wherein the aqueous dispersion is substantially free of surfactant monomers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The aqueous dispersion of claim 1, wherein the aqueous dispersion is completely free of surfactant monomers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A coating comprising an aqueous dispersion according to claim 1. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A method for making an aqueous dispersion of claim 1 comprising: (1) mixing in an aqueous medium: (a) particles, (b) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and (c) a water-dispersible hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation; and (2) polymerizing the at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and water-dispersible hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation to at least partially encapsulate the particles in a microgel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the water-dispersible hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation has a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000 grams per mole. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the water-dispersible hyperbranched acrylic polymer having ethylenic unsaturation exhibits an alpha parameter derived from the Mark-Houwink equation of 0.2 to 0.7. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the particles comprise inorganic particles. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the inorganic particles comprise titanium dioxide, alumina, silica, and/or iron oxide.