Aluminum phosphate composite materials and compositions

Abstract

AlP composite materials comprise an AlP aggregate core, and a shell disposed partially or entirely over the core and formed from a pigment material, e.g., TiO 2 , having an index of refraction greater than the core, providing an overall index or refraction greater than the core and suited for use as a pigment replacement or extender. The AlP core comprises amorphous AlP, crystalline AlP, or a combination thereof, and can have an average particle size of less than about 30 microns. The TiO 2 can have an average grain size less than about 10 microns. The shell can have a layer thickness that is at least about 0.0001 microns. The shell is bonded to the core by a reaction between functional groups of the shell and core. The AlP composite material can be engineered to provide properties in addition to brightness for use as a pigment such as anticorrosion and/or antimicrobial protection.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method for making an aluminum phosphate composite material comprising the steps of:
 forming a dispersion of aluminum phosphate particles; and   combining aluminum phosphate particles with a pigment material having an index of refraction greater than the aluminum phosphate particles so that the pigment material at least partially covers the aluminum phosphate particles to form the aluminum phosphate composite material.   
     
     
         39 . The method as recited in  claim 38  wherein during the step of combining, the pigment material is TiO 2 . 
     
     
         40 . The method as recited in  claim 38  further comprising after the step of combining, adding imidazole to the aluminum phosphate composite material. 
     
     
         41 . The method as recited in  claim 38  comprising reacting the aluminum phosphate particles with the pigment material to form a reaction product there between. 
     
     
         42 . The method as recited in  claim 41  wherein the pigment material is TiO 2 . 
     
     
         43 . The method as recited in  claim 41  wherein during the step of reacting, POH groups from the aluminum phosphate particles react with a constituent of the pigment material. 
     
     
         44 . The method as recited in  claim 38  wherein during the step of forming, aluminum trihydroxide is combined with phosphoric acid.