Anti-fog and substrate cleaning compositions and methods of use thereof

Abstract

An anti-fog composition is provided, the anti-fog composition comprising a water soluble polymer and a colloidal dispersion. The hydrophilic solvent system includes water and a miscible organic solvent, where the water represents a majority by weight of the composition. A method for applying the composition to a substrate is also provided. The substrate includes not only glass but also polycarbonate. The composition is well suited for forming an end-user kit for applying such a film to a substrate. Such a kit includes a container for the composition, or a wipe wetted with the composition. The container is a bottle or an aerosol can filled with propellant. When the composition is dried on a substrate, an anti-fog film is produced without the need to employ additional application processes.

Description

[0001] Related applications This application is a non-provisional application that claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 672,877, filed July 18, 2024; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a composition for inhibiting fogging and a method of using the same, and particularly to a composition that is also used for cleaning a substrate, thereby prolonging the anti-fogging and anti-condensation period on the substrate. Background Technology

[0003] Nucleation of water droplets from the ambient atmosphere on substrates poses a persistent problem for observation and vehicle operation under high humidity conditions. Operation of automobiles, spacecraft, and aircraft is impaired by low visibility associated with fog condensation on observation substrates used by such vehicles and aircraft. Other transparent observation surfaces also exhibit reduced performance due to droplet nucleation on such surfaces. These other surfaces include eyeglasses, goggles, camera lenses, and binoculars. Furthermore, with the proliferation of drones, autonomous vehicles, and vehicles equipped with driver warning systems, concerns about visual impairment associated with condensation on observation substrates are becoming increasingly pressing, as computer interface operation is generally less adaptable than that of human operators.

[0004] Because water droplets act as refractory lenses on transparent substrates, they tend to scatter transmitted light, thus weakening it. Traditionally, to prevent fogging on various substrates, a method of coating the surface with a surfactant with wetting properties is commonly used. The anti-fogging effect of this method is limited in duration and requires periodic reapplication. Furthermore, its performance is poor under high humidity conditions because the surfactant cannot retain the large amount of water that has condensed on the surface. Therefore, conventional anti-fogging agents form fine streams of water and have a striped, transparent appearance.

[0005] Recently, those skilled in the art have recognized that fogging of substrates can be inhibited by coating the substrate with a water-absorbing material, as opposed to surfactants that only modify the wetting characteristics of the substrate. Water-absorbing materials that have been used are polyvinyl alcohol-based polymers, acrylic-based polymers, and polyether-based polymers. The use of these water-absorbing polymers extends the duration of the anti-fog effect over surfactant-based compositions. Water-absorbing material deposition techniques for anti-fog films include deposition techniques that rely on heat treatment (U.S. 5,976,680), vacuum processes (U.S. 6,287,683), and dip, spray, or spin coating (U.S. 6,394,613). A common feature of these anti-fog film deposition techniques is the inclusion of two or more processing steps to apply the anti-fog film. Additionally, these techniques require catalysts necessary to crosslink the polymer into the final film, heat treatment at temperatures greater than 80 °C, vacuum processes, or dip, spray, or spin coating must be performed with the substrate removed from the substrate mount to achieve an optically smooth anti-fog film, or a combination of these processes. Due to these limitations associated with the prior art for applying anti-fog films containing water-absorbing materials to substrates, the ability to reapply such anti-fog compositions when the substrate is in the field is severely limited.

[0006] As detailed in U.S. 9,150,766, these problems were successfully addressed by applying a hydrophilic superabsorbent polymer to a glass substrate. The polymer coating spreads the water droplets into a thinner and more uniform layer, limiting the lensing effect associated with water droplets. These compositions are also suitable for application from a spray bottle and do not require catalysts or processing such as heating to achieve a transparent polymer coating on the substrate. Unfortunately, these compositions are not effective on polycarbonates. Polycarbonates are commonly used to form eyewear, safety glasses, face shield visors, window tints, and headlamp covers. Additionally, superabsorbent polymer coatings are very soft and susceptible to weathering.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a water-absorbing anti-fog composition that addresses the limitations of prior compositions. There is also a need for a method of applying such a composition from a kit to provide an anti-fog film on a substrate. SUMMARY

[0008] An anti-fog composition is provided that includes a water-soluble polymer and a colloidal dispersion. The hydrophilic solvent system includes water, wherein the water comprises a majority by weight of the composition.

[0009] A method for applying the composition to a substrate is also provided. The substrate includes not only glass, but also polycarbonates.

[0010] The composition is well suited for forming an end user kit for applying such a film to a substrate. Such a kit includes a container for the composition, or a wipe wetted with the composition. The container is a bottle, or an aerosol can filled with a propellant. As the composition dries on the substrate, an anti-fog film is produced without the need to employ additional application processes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The present invention has utility as an anti-fog composition that forms a film on a substrate to inhibit the nucleation of water droplets on the film and the underlying substrate. The present invention has properties that are well suited for application as a wipe or spray composition that forms a film without the need to employ the complex deposition processes that are characteristic of prior art systems. The composition is also well suited for application to polycarbonate as well as glass substrates. Kits are provided with such compositions and instructions for the end user to apply the composition of the present invention to a substrate in the field to impart an anti-fog film thereto. Because of the ability to apply the anti-fog film according to the present invention in the field, the composition of the present invention is readily applied in the field to repeat the application of the film when the anti-fog properties of a previously applied film have deteriorated. The composition of the present invention is also well suited for VOC-free formulations, and thus contains no volatile organic compounds or at least VOCs in an amount less than 1%. In addition, by incorporating a colloidal dispersion, the resulting coating has a longer functional lifetime than previous films formed from polymers alone. In still other embodiments, the colloidal dispersion is photo-activated and thus imparts self-cleaning properties to the film and the underlying substrate.

[0012] It should be appreciated that in the case of a range of values being provided, the range is intended to encompass not only the end point values of the range but also intermediate values such as are explicitly included in the range and validly changed by the last significant digit of the range. By way of example, a range recited as 1 to 4 is intended to include 1-2, 1-3, 2-4, 3-4, and 1-4.

[0013] As used herein, the amount of a component refers to the amount of the active component and thus does not take into account water or other solvent in which the active component is dissolved to facilitate formulation.

[0014] The anti-fog composition of the present invention comprises at least one water-soluble polymer. As used herein, "water-soluble polymer" is defined as a synthetic or naturally occurring polymer that, as a solution in water, has an amount of at least 1 weight percent in deionized (DI) water. It should be understood that the water-soluble polymer can actually dissolve under other conditions, illustratively including heating the water, mechanical agitation, ultrasonic agitation, or combinations thereof. Typical amounts of solubility range from 0.5 to 5 weight percent in DI water. It should be understood that miscible organic solvents can enhance the solubility of the water-soluble polymer, but the effect of miscible organic solvents is not considered for purposes of defining the term. It should be further understood that the water-soluble polymer can be rendered insoluble and become a superabsorbent polymer by increasing the amount of cross-linking to form a three-dimensional matrix. Factors related to the solubility of the water-soluble polymer include at least the weight average molecular weight of the polymer, the ratio of hydroxyl or ionic moieties per unit mass, and the degree of cross-linking.

[0015] Water-soluble polymers and copolymers effective herein illustratively include polyethylene glycol, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylonitrile, polymethacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl sulfonic acid, poly(di-vinyl ether-maleic anhydride), polyphosphoesters, and combinations thereof, as well as block copolymers in which any of the foregoing comprises at least 50% of the number of subunits of the block copolymer.

[0016] The water-soluble polymer or combination of water-soluble polymers is typically present in the fully formulated composition of the present invention from 0.1 to 12 total weight percent. In some embodiments of the present invention, the water-soluble polymer is polyvinyl alcohol alone or in combination with other water-soluble polymers. In some embodiments of the present invention, polyacrylic acid is present alone or in combination with other water-soluble polymers or copolymers. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the water-soluble polymer is biodegradable. Anionic and non-ionic polymer backbones of the water-soluble polymers or copolymers are particularly effective in rendering the substrate hydrophilic. It should be understood that more than one water-soluble polymer is readily present in the composition of the present invention to adjust viscosity, limit streaking, and anti-fog film formation properties.

[0017] A colloidal dispersion is present in the compositions of the present invention. Without intending to be bound by a particular theory, it is observed that the inclusion of a colloidal dispersion enhances the hardness and durability of the film formed on a substrate by evaporation of the solvent system from the compositions of the present invention. Colloidal dispersions effective herein illustratively include silica, titania, zinc oxide, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, metal nanocrystals, or combinations thereof. Colloidal dispersions having anionic charge are particularly effective in rendering a substrate hydrophilic. It should be appreciated that large band gap semiconductor colloidal dispersions, such as titania and zinc oxide, as well as metal nanocrystals, such as autocatalytic copper, can impart a self-cleaning effect to a substrate coated with a film formed from the compositions of the present invention. US 7,1448,40 B2 is an example of a self-cleaning titania colloidal dispersion. Combinations of colloidal dispersions or colloids are typically present in 0.1 to 10 total weight percent of the fully formulated compositions of the present invention.

[0018] As used herein, graphene oxide is defined as graphene that has been rendered water dispersible with various oxygen-containing functional groups, such as epoxy, carbonyl, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups, and a total oxygen content of 10-60 weight percent, typically about 20-50 weight percent.

[0019] The solvent system of the present invention is primarily water, but in some embodiments of the present invention, also contains a water-miscible organic solvent. The miscible solvent can serve several functions in the compositions of the present invention, which illustratively include surface cleaning, solubility, hydrotropic properties, viscosity, and combinations thereof. Miscible organic solvents effective herein illustratively include glycol ethers, such as dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, tri(propylene glycol) n-butyl ether, or diethylene glycol n-butyl ether; C1-C4 alcohols; acetone; acetonitrile; methyl ethyl ketone; dimethylformamide; or dimethyl sulfoxide. The miscible organic solvent is typically present in 0.8 to 10 total weight percent of the fully formulated composition. It should be appreciated that the miscible organic solvent can be a source of VOC emissions, and if a low VOC product is desired, the miscible organic solvent is selected as a component of the VOC composition. The miscible organic solvent is typically present in a weight ratio of 0-0.8 : 1 relative to water. The solvent system is typically present in 70 to 98 total weight percent of the compositions of the present invention.

[0020] As used herein, "VOC" is defined as a compound listed on the US Environmental Protection Agency's List of Volatile Organic Compounds.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present application, a wetting agent is optionally provided in the composition. While not intending to be bound by a particular theory, the wetting agent renders the surface hydrophilic by forming a hydrophilic film on the surface that facilitates the spreading of the water-soluble polymer to form a film as the composition dries. Wetting agents effective herein illustratively include the reaction product of hexyl D-glucopyranoside with bis(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) sodium phosphate (1 : 1) (CAS 1417861-94-9), methyl(propoxyhydroxide, ethoxylated) bis(trimethylsiloxy silane), silicone polyalkylene oxide copolymer, silicone polyether copolymer, dimethicone, polyethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, dimethicone silicone fluid, polyoxyalkylene modified heptamethyltrisiloxane, fluorinated alkyl alkoxylate, monoether of fluorinated hydrocarbon telomer B with polyethylene glycol, ethoxylated tetramethyl decanediol, and combinations thereof. Silicone-oxylene block copolymers are effective herein, as described in, for example, U.S. Patents 3,933,407 and 3,299,112. It will be appreciated that each of the above wetting agents is commercially available in at least one form. To achieve miscibility with the solvent of the present application and to impart desirable properties to the resulting anti-fog film applied to a substrate, the wetting agent typically has a number average molecular weight of between 500 and 20,000. The wetting agent, if present, is typically used at 0.1 to 10 total weight percent. It will be appreciated that the specific amount of wetting agent as used herein depends on a number of factors, including the wetting agent molecular weight, the Hansen solubility parameters, and the water-soluble polymer loading.

[0022] The compositions of the present application optionally include a hydrophilic surfactant. While not intending to be bound by a particular theory, the hydrophilic surfactant assumes an anti-spotting function for the film formed from the compositions of the present application. Hydrophilic surfactants effective herein illustratively include non-ionic polymeric fluorinated surfactants, anionic phosphonated fluorinated surfactants, non-ionic ethoxylated fluorinated surfactants, polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxanes, polyether-modified polymethylalkylsiloxanes, aralkyl-modified polymethylalkylsiloxanes, polyester-modified hydroxy-functional polydimethylsiloxanes, acryloyl-functional polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxanes, polyether polyester-modified hydroxy-functional polydimethylsiloxanes, solutions of polyacrylates, solutions of fluorine-modified polyacrylates, or combinations thereof. Hydrophilic surfactants effective, if present, are typically used at 0.1 to 16 total weight percent.

[0023] The compositions of the present application also include various additives to enhance the properties of the compositions of the present application; the properties illustratively include storage stability, film formation, film durability, and cleaning properties. Other additives effective herein optionally include, alone or in combination, hydrophilic film plasticizers, biocides, chelating agents, pH modifiers, fragrances, or antifoams.

[0024] Hydrophilic film plasticizers effective herein illustratively include hydroxyethyl pyrrolidone.

[0025] Biocides effective herein illustratively include 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, methylchloroisothiazolinone / 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 1,2-benzisothiazolinone / dipropylene glycol, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride, caprylyl glycol / phenoxyethanol / hexylene glycol.

[0026] Chelants effective herein illustratively are ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS), ethylenediamine dipropionic acid (EDDM), and ethylenediamine diglutaric acid (EDDG), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), iminodiacetic acid (IDA), iminotriacetic acid (ITA), ethylenediamine (En), N,N'-diethylenediamine (Den), diethylenetriamine (DTN), diethylenetetraamine (Trien), triaminotriethylamine, triethanolamine, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, aconitic acid, hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), or combinations thereof. Each of the foregoing is effective herein regardless of the mixture of cation counterions (including onium, sodium, potassium, and calcium).

[0027] According to some embodiments of the application, the composition additionally comprises a pH modifier. pH modifiers effective herein illustratively include liquid sodium silicate, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, amino-2-hydroxyethane, 2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]ethanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, soda ash, sodium hydroxide, lime, and combinations thereof. The pH modifier also functions as a soil capture agent.

[0028] Fragrances are readily added to the composition. Exemplary fragrances are citrus, pine, floral, musk, or fruit-scented fragrances.

[0029] The compositions of the present application optionally comprise an antifoam agent, present in an amount to inhibit the formation of foam in the antifog film produced from the compositions of the present application.

[0030] Antifoam agents effective herein illustratively include silicone-based antifoam agents; mineral oil-based antifoam agents, and mixtures of antifoam polymers with hydrophobic solids such as polyureas, as are known in the art. Particular exemplary silicone-based antifoam agents illustratively include silica-filled polydimethylsiloxane and polyether-modified polysiloxane.

[0031] The foregoing optional additives are each used, if present, in amounts of 0.1 to 3 total weight percent of the fully formulated composition.

[0032] The compositions of the present application have a fully formulated viscosity of between 1 and 500 cSt as measured at room temperature. It will be appreciated that higher viscosity compositions are well suited for application from pressurized containers such as aerosols containing a propellant.

[0033] Where an aerosol delivery system for the compositions of the present application is desirable, the compositions of the present application optionally comprise a halogenated or hydrocarbon propellant. Aerosol propellants effective herein illustratively include difluoroethane, trifluoroethane; alkanes such as butane, pentane, isobutane; propane; ethers such as dimethyl ether and diethyl ether; nitrogen; carbon dioxide; and combinations thereof. The resulting compositions containing a propellant are sealed within conventional metal aerosol cans and applied by spraying as is conventional in the art.

[0034] While it will be appreciated that there are few limitations on the nature of the substrate to which the compositions of the present application are applied to form an anti-fog film, provided that the substrate does not dissolve or otherwise be damaged by exposure to the compositions of the present application, exemplary substrates exposed to environmental conditions in which water droplet nucleation can occur on the substrate and which have optical transmission properties in use illustratively include optically clear or translucent substrates formed from polystyrene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, quartz glass, silicate glass, and ceramic.

[0035] Table 1 provides exemplary and preferred compositions according to the present application.

[0036] Table 1. Compositions of the present application (amounts in total weight percent not including optional propellant) The compositions of the present application are readily provided as kits in the form of a bottle or aerosol can. The bottle is optionally equipped with a pump trigger or a spray trigger. The kits of the present application are operable by providing an optional wipe to remove excess composition, and associated instructions. Unlike compositions of the prior art, in some embodiments of the present application, the compositions of the present application are suitable for use with microfiber or tissue material as a wipe. The instructions provide details on how to prepare a substrate, apply the compositions of the present application, remove excess composition from the substrate, and the time and properties of the anti-fog film so applied. The instructions can also provide details on how to reapply the composition after the applied film is abraded. It will also be appreciated that pre-impregnated wipes are also provided with similar instructions for application to a substrate.

[0037] The present application is described in further detail with reference to the following non-limiting examples, which are provided to further illustrate the preparation of particular compositions of the present application and certain properties associated with the films on the resulting substrates.

[0038] Example 1 To 80 grams of deionized water was added 3 grams of dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, 1.17 grams of at least 98% hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, 0.7 grams of a basic aqueous dispersion of colloidal silica, 2 grams of sodium acrylate polymer having a number average molecular weight of 3,500. Additional water was added to bring the total weight to 100 grams. The resulting composition was applied to the surface of a borosilicate glass.

[0039] Example 2 and Comparative Example A glass plate was sprayed on both sides with the composition of Example 1 (Example 2) or the composition of Example 1 of US 9,150,766 (Comparative Example). The sprayed glass plate was treated according to the test protocol EN 168 as described in the following: Wahab, I. F., Bushroa, A. R., Teck, S. W., Azmi, T. T., Ibrahim, M. Z, and Lee, J. W. (2023). Fundamentals of antifogging strategies, coating techniques and properties of inorganic materials; a comprehensive review. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 23, 687-714.

[0040] The plate of Example 2 showed a higher clarity relative to the Comparative Example.

[0041] Example 3 The plates of Example 2 and Comparative Example were subjected to simulated wiper abrasion testing according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Test Procedure tp104-08. The durability of the film coated glass of Example 2 was five times the durability of the Comparative Example.

[0042] Example 4 The composition of Example 1 was modified by introducing 0.5 total weight percent of tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate and a corresponding reduction in the amount of water. The resulting composition produced a film having similar properties to Example 2.

[0043] Example 5 The composition of Example 1 was modified by introducing 0.5 total weight percent of tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate and a corresponding reduction in the amount of water. The resulting composition produced a film having similar properties to Example 2.

[0044] Example 6 The composition of Example 1 was modified by omitting the polyacrylic acid and correspondingly increasing the water amount. The resulting composition produced a film having similar properties as Example 2.

[0045] Example 7 The composition of Example 1 was modified by introducing 1 gram of hexyl glucoside hydroxypropyl sodium phosphate as a wetting agent and correspondingly reducing the water amount. The resulting composition produced a film having similar properties as Example 2.

[0046] Example 8 The composition of Example 1 was modified by replacing the colloidal silica with the same amount of colloidal titanium dioxide. The resulting composition produced a film having similar properties as Example 2.

[0047] Example 9 The composition of Example 1 was modified by excluding the dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether and correspondingly increasing the water amount. The resulting composition produced a film having similar properties as Example 2.

[0048] Example 10 The composition of Example 1 was pre-soaked into a microfiber wipe and after wringing off the excess liquid from the wipe, the wipe was applied to the substrate surface. The substrate surface was wiped dry with a clean and dry synthetic material small towel. The resulting film was functioned as detailed in Example 2.

[0049] Example 11 The composition of Example 1 was sealed in a conventional metal aerosol can with gaseous nitrogen as a propellant. The can mixture was applied by spraying onto the same substrate as Example 1 while removing the excess liquid from the substrate surface. The resulting film coated substrate was tested and implemented in a similar manner as in Example 2.

[0050] The patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the application pertains. These patents and publications are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual patent or publication was specifically and individually incorporated herein by reference.

[0051] The foregoing description is of a particular embodiment of the application and is not meant to limit its practice by including all equivalents of the embodiments as they are described above. The following claims, including all equivalents of the application as they are described above, are intended to define the scope of the application.

Claims

1. An anti-fog composition, the composition comprising: a water-soluble polymer; a colloidal dispersion; and a hydrophilic solvent system comprising water, wherein water comprises a majority by weight of the composition.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein, The water-soluble polymer is one or more of: polyethylene glycol, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylonitrile, polymethacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylsulfonic acid, poly(divinyl ether-maleic anhydride), polyphosphoester, xanthan gum, pectin, dextran, carrageenan, guar gum, hyaluronic acid, albumin, and combinations thereof, and a block copolymer, wherein any of the foregoing comprises at least 50% by number of subunits of the block copolymer.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein, The water-soluble polymer is present in 0.01 to 5 total weight percent.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein, The water-soluble polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein, The polyacrylic acid has an anionic backbone.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein, The water-soluble polymer is biodegradable.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein, The water-soluble polymer has a solubility in deionized water at 20 degrees Celsius of at least 1% by weight.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein, The colloidal dispersion is one or more of: silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, graphite oxide, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, metal nanocrystals, or combinations thereof.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein, The colloidal dispersion is present in an amount to impart self-cleaning when exposed to sunlight while drying on a substrate.

10. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a miscible organic solvent.

11. The composition of claim 1, wherein, The miscible organic solvent is at least one of: a glycol ether, acetone, acetonitrile, methyl ethyl ketone, dimethylformamide, or dimethyl sulfoxide.

12. The composition of claim 11, wherein, The miscible organic solvent comprises the glycol ether, and the glycol ether is at least one of: dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, tri(propyleneglycol) butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether.

13. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a wetting agent.

14. The composition of claim 13, wherein, The wetting agent is at least one of: a reaction product of hexyl D-glucopyranoside with bis(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) sodium phosphate (1 : 1) (CAS 1417861-94-9), methyl(propoxyhydroxide, ethoxylated) bis(trimethylsiloxy silane), silicone polyalkylene oxide copolymer, silicone polyether copolymer, dimethicone, polyethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer, dimethicone silicone fluid, polyoxyalkylene modified heptamethyltrisiloxane • fluorinated alkyl alkoxylate • fluorocarbon telomer B monoether with polyethylene glycol, ethoxylated tetramethyldecynediol.

15. The composition of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following additives: an anti-spotting agent, a biocide, a chelating agent, an antifoam agent, or a light stabilizer.

16. The composition of claim 1, having a volatile organic compound content (VOC) of between 0 and 0.5 total weight percent.

17. A method for applying an anti-fog film to a substrate, the method comprising: The composition of claim 1 is applied to the substrate to form the film.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising and removing excess composition from the surface prior to forming the film without the need to employ a catalyst or heating.

19. The method of claim 18, which specifically excludes additional steps beyond drying the composition to form the film.

20. A film formed by evaporating the solvent system of claim 1 from a substrate.

Images