Metal oxide-containing dispersion and method of preparing the same

Abstract

Metal oxide-containing dispersions and methods of producing the same are provided. Generally, dispersions according to the invention comprise respective quantities of surfactant, metal oxide, and carrier. Methods according to the invention generally comprise providing a quantity of metal oxide particles of having a desired size suitable for being dispersed in a carrier with the aid of a surfactant. If necessary, the metal oxide particles may be mixed with the carrier and then undergo a pulverization step whereby the average particle size is reduced to the desired level, or the metal oxide particles may be pulverized prior to addition of the carrier. Dispersions made in accordance with the present invention generally exhibit excellent stability in that the metal oxide particles remain suspended in the dispersion for at least about one month.

1 - 5 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         6 . A method of preparing a stable, metal oxide dispersion comprising the steps of: 
 providing a slurry comprising from about 0.1-50% by weight of metal oxide particles and a quantity of a carrier;    pulverizing said metal oxide particles dispersed in said slurry; and    mixing said slurry with a quantity of surfactant thereby forming said dispersion,    said mixing step being for a sufficient time to contact said metal oxide particles with said surfactant and to suspend said metal oxide particles in said dispersion.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , said process further comprising the step of adding an additional quantity of said carrier to said slurry prior to said surfactant addition step.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , said metal oxide particles being selected from the group consisting of particles of MgO, CaO, TiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , SrO, BaO, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , said metal oxide particles being MgO particles.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , said surfactant being selected from the group consisting of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, aliphatic and aromatic sulfonic acids, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , said surfactant being selected from the group consisting of oleic acid, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , said pulverizing step comprising passing said slurry through a mill.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , said dispersion comprising from about 50-90% by weight of said carrier, from about 5-35% by weight of said metal oxide, and from about 10-50% by weight of said surfactant.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , said metal oxide particles remaining suspended in said dispersion for at least about one month.  
     
     
         15 - 23 . (Canceled)