Antifogging agent composition

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an antifogging agent composition that can be applied evenly and can impart exceptional antifogging properties to hard surfaces such as eyewear lenses.　An antifogging agent composition containing a fluorosurfactant and a glycol ether, the glycol ether content being 10 wt% or less.

Description

Antifogging agent composition

[0001] The present invention relates to an antifogging agent composition that can impart excellent antifogging properties to hard surfaces such as eyewear lenses and that can be applied uniformly.

[0002] Fogging (the occurrence of fogging) occurs on the surfaces of plastic or glass products when moisture in the air turns into fine droplets and adheres to them due to changes in temperature and humidity. The fogging phenomenon that occurs in transparent materials such as eyeglass lenses and sunglasses lenses not only causes inconvenience in daily life but can also be dangerous in some situations. Therefore, various antifogging agent compositions that can impart antifogging properties to hard surfaces have been developed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an antifogging agent for eyeglass lenses, which is prepared by dissolving 1.0 to 3.0 wt% of a nonionic fluorosurfactant, 1.0 to 3.0 wt% of a cationic fluorosurfactant, and 0.02 to 0.5 wt% of a perfluoroalkyl group-containing silicone compound in a mixture of water and a lower alcohol. Patent Document 2 describes an antifogging agent containing a fluorine-containing amphoteric surfactant or a fluorine-containing anionic surfactant, and a fluorine-containing nonionic surfactant. Patent Document 3 describes an antifogging agent containing a fluorine-containing amphoteric surfactant, a fluorine-containing anionic surfactant or a fluorine-containing cationic surfactant, and a non-fluorine-containing amphoteric surfactant.

[0004] Among the anti-fogging agent compositions reported so far, some exhibit excellent anti-fogging effects, but the development of new anti-fogging agent compositions is desired in order to diversify formulations, etc.

[0005] JP 7-20411 A JP 2016-60878 A JP 2016-60879 A

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an antifogging agent composition that can impart excellent antifogging properties to hard surfaces such as eyewear lenses and that can be applied uniformly.

[0007] The present inventors have conducted extensive research to solve the above-mentioned problems and have found that an antifogging agent composition containing a fluorine-containing surfactant and a glycol ether, with the glycol ether content being 10% by weight or less, can impart excellent antifogging properties to hard surfaces such as eyewear lenses and can be applied uniformly to the hard surfaces. The present invention was completed based on this finding and through further research.

[0008] That is, the present invention provides the following aspects of the invention. Item 1. An anti-fogging composition containing a fluorine-containing surfactant and a glycol ether, wherein the content of the glycol ether is 10% by weight or less. Item 2. The anti-fogging composition according to Item 1, wherein the glycol ether is at least one selected from the group consisting of monoalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, esters of monoalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, monoalkylene glycol monoaryl ethers, and polyalkylene glycol dialkyl ethers. Item 3. The anti-fogging composition according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the content of the fluorine-containing surfactant is 0.1 to 20% by weight. Item 4. The anti-fogging composition according to any one of Items 1 to 3, further comprising a monohydric lower alcohol. Item 5. The anti-fogging composition according to Item 4, wherein the monohydric lower alcohol is isopropanol and / or ethanol. Item 6. The anti-fogging composition according to any one of Items 1 to 5, wherein the surface tension at 25°C is 30.0 mN / m or less. Item 7. Item 8. An anti-fog composition according to any one of Items 1 to 6, which is applied to an eyewear lens. Item 8. An anti-fog sheet comprising the anti-fog composition according to any one of Items 1 to 7 and a substrate sheet, the substrate sheet being impregnated with the anti-fog composition. Item 9. The anti-fog sheet according to Item 8, which is applied to an eyewear lens. Item 10. A method for anti-fog a hard surface, comprising applying the anti-fog composition according to any one of Items 1 to 5 to the hard surface. Item 11. The method for anti-fog a hard surface according to Item 10, wherein the hard surface is the surface of an eyewear lens. Item 12. Use of a composition containing a fluorine-containing surfactant and a glycol ether, wherein the glycol ether content is 10% by weight or less, for imparting anti-fog properties to a hard surface. Item 13. Use of a sheet comprising a composition containing a fluorine-containing surfactant and a glycol ether, wherein the glycol ether content is 10% by weight or less, and a substrate sheet, the substrate sheet being impregnated with the anti-fog composition, for imparting anti-fog properties to a hard surface.

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided an antifogging agent composition that can impart excellent antifogging properties to hard surfaces such as eyewear lenses and that can be applied uniformly.

[0010] Photographs showing the appearance of lenses that meet each of the criteria for anti-fogging effect.

[0011] 1. Antifogging Agent Composition The antifogging agent composition of the present invention is characterized by containing a fluorine-containing surfactant and a glycol ether, and the glycol ether content is 10 wt % or less. The antifogging agent composition of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0012] [Fluorine-Based Surfactant] The antifogging agent composition of the present invention contains a fluorine-based surfactant, which is a surfactant having a fluoroalkyl group or a fluoroalkenyl group in the molecule.

[0013] The type of fluoroalkyl group or fluoroalkenyl group in the fluorosurfactant used in the present invention is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include perfluoroalkyl groups, polyfluoroalkyl groups in which some of the hydrogen atoms are substituted with fluorine atoms, perfluoroalkenyl groups, and polyfluoroalkenyl groups in which some of the hydrogen atoms are substituted with fluorine atoms, preferably perfluoroalkyl groups, polyfluoroalkyl groups in which some of the hydrogen atoms are substituted with fluorine atoms, and perfluoroalkenyl groups. The fluoroalkyl group or fluoroalkenyl group in the fluorosurfactant may be either linear or branched. The number of carbon atoms in the fluoroalkyl group or fluoroalkenyl group in the fluorosurfactant is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include 3 to 20, preferably 3 to 10.

[0014] The type of fluorine-containing surfactant used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be any of a fluorine-containing nonionic surfactant, a fluorine-containing cationic surfactant, a fluorine-containing anionic surfactant, and a fluorine-containing amphoteric surfactant.

[0015] Specific examples of fluorine-based nonionic surfactants include fluoroalkyl ethylene oxide adducts, fluoroalkylamine oxides, oligomers having a fluoroalkyl group and a hydrophilic group and / or a lipophilic group, fluoroalkenyl ethylene oxide adducts, fluoroalkenylamine oxides, oligomers having a fluoroalkenyl group and a hydrophilic group and / or a lipophilic group, etc. Among these fluorine-based nonionic surfactants, preferred are fluoroalkyl ethylene oxide adducts and fluoroalkenyl ethylene oxide adducts, and more preferred are polyfluoroalkyl ethylene oxide adducts and perfluoroalkenyl ethylene oxide adducts.

[0016] Specific examples of the fluorine-based cationic surfactant include quaternary ammonium salt-type fluorine-based surfactants such as fluoroalkyltrimethylammonium salts, difluoroalkyldimethylammonium salts, fluoroalkyldimethylbenzylammonium salts, fluoroalkenyltrimethylammonium salts, difluoroalkenyldimethylammonium salts, and fluoroalkenyldimethylbenzylammonium salts. Among these fluorine-based cationic surfactants, preferred are fluoroalkenyltrimethylammonium salts, and more preferred are perfluoroalkenyltrimethylammonium salts.

[0017] Specific examples of the fluorine-based anionic surfactant include fluoroalkyl sulfonates, fluoroalkyl carboxylates, fluoroalkyl phosphates, fluoroalkenyl sulfonates, fluoroalkenyl carboxylates, and fluoroalkenyl phosphates.

[0018] Specific examples of fluorine-based amphoteric surfactants include fluorine-based betaine surfactants such as fluoroalkyldimethylbetaine and fluoroalkenyldimethylbetaine; and fluorine-based amino acid surfactants such as fluoroalkylaminopropionate and fluoroalkenylaminopropionate.

[0019] These fluorine-based surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0020] The content of the fluorine-containing surfactant in the antifogging agent composition of the present invention is, for example, 0.01 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.01 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.05 to 5% by weight, and even more preferably 0.1 to 5% by weight.

[0021] [Glycol Ether] The antifogging agent composition of the present invention contains a glycol ether in a content of 10% by weight or less. By using a fluorine-based surfactant and a glycol ether in a content of 10% by weight or less in combination, it is possible to provide excellent antifogging properties and coating uniformity.

[0022] Glycol ethers are compounds in which an alkyl group or an aryl group is ether-bonded to a glycol.

[0023] The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group bonded to the glycol ether is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 1 to 3, preferably 1 or 2, and more preferably 1. The alkyl group bonded to the glycol ether may be either linear or branched. Furthermore, the type of aryl group bonded to the glycol ether is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a phenyl group, a benzyl group, a tolyl group, or a xylyl group.

[0024] The type of glycol ether used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, any of monoalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, monoalkylene glycol dialkyl ethers, esters of monoalkylene glycol monoaryl ethers, monoalkylene glycol diaryl ethers, polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, esters of polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, polyalkylene glycol monoaryl ethers, esters of polyalkylene glycol monoaryl ethers, polyalkylene glycol diaryl ethers, etc. Among these glycol ethers, from the viewpoint of providing even more excellent antifogging properties and coating uniformity, preferred are monoalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers and polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers.

[0025] Specific examples of the monoalkylene glycol monoalkyl ether include ethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and ethylene glycol monopropyl ether; and propylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, and propylene glycol monopropyl ether. Among these monoalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, preferred are propylene glycol monomethyl ether and propylene glycol monopropyl ether, and more preferred is propylene glycol monomethyl ether.

[0026] Specific examples of polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers include diethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and diethylene glycol monopropyl ether; dipropylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, and dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether; triethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and triethylene glycol monopropyl ether; and tripropylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monoethyl ether, and tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether. Among these polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, preferred are dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether and tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, and preferably dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether.

[0027] These glycol ethers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0028] The content of glycol ether in the antifogging agent composition of the present invention may be more than 0% by weight and not more than 10% by weight, but from the viewpoint of providing even better antifogging properties and coating uniformity, it is 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 10% by weight, and more preferably 0.5 to 5% by weight. If the content of glycol ether exceeds 10% by weight, it will be impossible to provide excellent antifogging properties and coating uniformity.

[0029] In the antifogging agent composition of the present invention, the ratio of the fluorosurfactant to the glycol ether is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 10 to 2000 parts by weight of glycol ether per 100 parts by weight of the fluorosurfactant. From the viewpoint of providing even better antifogging properties and coating uniformity, the ratio of the glycol ether per 100 parts by weight of the fluorosurfactant is preferably 15 to 1500 parts by weight, more preferably 20 to 1000 parts by weight, even more preferably 30 to 700 parts by weight, and particularly preferably 35 to 500 parts by weight.

[0030] [Monohydric lower alcohol] The antifogging agent composition of the present invention may contain a monohydric lower alcohol, if necessary. When a monohydric lower alcohol is contained, not only can excellent antifogging properties be imparted to hard surfaces, but also the effect of removing dirt from hard surfaces can be improved.

[0031] The monohydric lower alcohol is a monohydric alcohol having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and specific examples include methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, isopropyl alcohol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and t-butanol. Among these monohydric lower alcohols, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are preferred, and isopropyl alcohol is more preferred. When the antifogging agent composition of the present invention is applied to an eyewear lens, the inclusion of isopropyl alcohol can significantly enhance the effect of removing dirt adhering to the eyewear lens.

[0032] These monohydric lower alcohols may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0033] When the antifogging agent composition of the present invention contains a monohydric lower alcohol, the content thereof is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 1 to 90% by weight, preferably 5 to 60% by weight, and more preferably 20 to 40% by weight.

[0034] [Water] The antifogging agent composition of the present invention may contain water, if necessary. When the antifogging agent composition of the present invention contains water, the content thereof is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 1 to 95 wt %, preferably 10 to 90 wt %, and more preferably 40 to 75 wt %.

[0035] [Surface tension] The surface tension of the antifogging agent composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a surface tension of 30 mN / m or less at 25°C. From the viewpoint of providing even more excellent antifogging properties and coating uniformity, the surface tension at 25°C is preferably 1 to 28 mN / m, more preferably 5 to 27 mN / m, and even more preferably 10 to 25 mN / m. In the present invention, the surface tension is a value measured in an environment of 25°C by the Wilhelmy method using a platinum plate.

[0036] [Other Components] In addition to the components described above, the antifogging agent composition of the present invention may contain, as necessary, a fragrance, a surfactant other than a fluorine-based surfactant, a cooling agent, a preservative, a bactericide, a thickener, a pH adjuster, an ultraviolet absorber, and the like.

[0037] [Use] The antifogging agent composition of the present invention is used to impart antifogging properties to hard surfaces. The type of hard surface to which the antifogging agent composition of the present invention is applied is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include transparent hard surfaces such as eyewear lenses, smartphone screens, watch crystals, personal computer and television screens, and mirrors. Among these, eyewear lenses are preferred.

[0038] In the present invention, "eyewear" refers to devices worn around the eyes for eye correction, eye protection, eye decoration, etc. The type of eyewear lens to which the antifogging agent composition of the present invention is applied is not particularly limited, and examples include spectacle lenses, sunglass lenses, safety goggles, shields, athletic goggles, and contact lenses. Among these, spectacle lenses, sunglass lenses, safety goggles, shields, and athletic goggles are preferred, spectacle lenses, sunglass lenses, safety goggles, and shields are more preferred, spectacle lenses and sunglass lenses are even more preferred, and spectacle lenses are particularly preferred.

[0039] To impart anti-fogging properties to a hard surface using the anti-fogging composition of the present invention, the anti-fogging composition of the present invention may be applied to the hard surface. The method for applying the anti-fogging composition of the present invention to a hard surface is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method of spreading the anti-fogging composition of the present invention on the hard surface using an anti-fogging sheet obtained by impregnating a base sheet with the anti-fogging composition of the present invention; and a method of applying or spraying the anti-fogging composition of the present invention on the hard surface and then wiping it off with a dry cloth or tissue paper. The anti-fogging sheet obtained by impregnating a base sheet with the anti-fogging composition of the present invention is excellent in portability, ease of application, ease of removing attached dirt, etc., and the method of using the anti-fogging sheet is preferred as a method for applying the anti-fogging composition of the present invention to a hard surface. The anti-fogging sheet will be described later.

[0040] The amount of the antifogging agent composition of the present invention to be applied to a hard surface may be adjusted appropriately depending on the type and area of ​​the hard surface, the degree of antifogging property to be imparted, and the like.

[0041] Furthermore, the antifogging agent composition of the present invention not only imparts antifogging properties to hard surfaces but is also suitable for wiping off dirt adhering to hard surfaces, and therefore can also be used for cleaning hard surfaces. In particular, the antifogging agent composition of the present invention can remove dirt adhering to eyewear lenses while imparting antifogging properties to the lenses, and therefore can be suitably used as an antifogging cleaner applied to eyewear lenses.

[0042] 2. Anti-Fog Sheet The anti-fog sheet of the present invention comprises the anti-fog composition and a substrate sheet, and is characterized in that the substrate sheet is impregnated with the anti-fog composition. The anti-fog sheet of the present invention can easily wipe away dirt adhering to hard surfaces, and therefore can be suitably used for cleaning hard surfaces. The anti-fog sheet of the present invention can impart anti-fog properties to eyewear lenses while wiping away dirt adhering to eyewear lenses, and therefore can also be suitably used as an anti-fog eyewear lens cleaner.

[0043] The substrate sheet used in the anti-fogging sheet of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a sheet-like material that can be impregnated with the anti-fogging agent composition, and may be either paper or cloth. In the case of cloth, it may be either woven fabric or nonwoven fabric. Among substrate sheets, nonwoven fabric is preferred because it can be sufficiently impregnated with the anti-fogging agent composition.

[0044] When the base sheet is a fabric, the fibers constituting the fabric are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include cellulose fibers such as cotton and pulp; regenerated fibers; chemical fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, acrylic, and nylon; and mixed fibers thereof.

[0045] The impregnation amount of the antifogging agent composition in the antifogging sheet of the present invention may be appropriately determined depending on the type of base sheet used, etc., and may be, for example, 50 to 300 parts by weight, preferably 60 to 100 parts by weight, of the eyeglass cleanser composition per 100 parts by weight of the base sheet.

[0046] Next, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way.

[0047] The types, trade names, etc. of the surfactants used in the following examples and comparative examples are as follows: Fluorine-based nonionic surfactant 1: 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-tridecafluorooctylethylene oxide adduct Fluorine-based nonionic surfactant 2: perfluoroalkylethylene oxide adduct Fluorine-based nonionic surfactant 3: trade name "Thetawet8150" (Innovative Chemical Technologies, Inc.); the content of fluorine-based nonionic surfactant 3 shown in the tables below is the content of the fluorine-based nonionic surfactant itself contained in "Thetawet8150." Fluorine-based cationic surfactant 1: a quaternary ammonium salt-type fluorosurfactant having a perfluoroalkenyl group Fluorine-based anionic surfactant 1: sodium perfluoroalkenyl sulfonate Fluorine-based anionic surfactant 2: a fluorous anionic surfactant with a structure different from that of Fluorine-based anionic surfactant 1 Fluorine-based amphoteric surfactant 1: trade name "Surflon S-233" (AGC Seimi Chemical Co., Ltd.); the content of Fluorine-based amphoteric surfactant 1 shown in the table below is the content of the fluorous amphoteric surfactant itself contained in "Surflon S-233". Amphoteric surfactant 1: lauryl hydroxysulfobetaine

[0048] Test Example 11. Test Method Antifogging agent compositions for eyeglass lenses were prepared according to the formulations shown in Tables 1 to 4. The resulting antifogging agent compositions were evaluated for coating uniformity and antifogging effect by the following methods.

[0049] <Method for evaluating coating uniformity> A wiper (10 cm x 13 cm, "K-Dry Wiper" manufactured by Nippon Paper Crecia Co., Ltd.) was folded in four, 50 μl of the antifogging agent composition was impregnated into the center, and the composition was gently spread five times back and forth on the concave surface of an eyeglass lens (water-repellent coated lens, refractive index 1.60, "SL 982 VP" manufactured by HOYA Corporation). After application, the coating uniformity was evaluated according to the following criteria. - Criteria for coating uniformity A: Easy to spread, can be spread evenly without unevenness B: Easy to spread, can be spread almost evenly with slight unevenness C: Difficult to spread, some unevenness occurs D: Difficult to spread, unevenness occurs

[0050] <Method for evaluating anti-fogging effect>

[0051] A wiper (10 cm x 13 cm, "K-Dry Wiper" manufactured by Nippon Paper Crecia Co., Ltd.) was folded in four, and 50 μl of the antifogging composition was impregnated into the center of the wiper. The wiper was then gently spread five times back and forth on the concave surface of an eyeglass lens (water-repellent coated lens, refractive index 1.60, "SL 982 VP" manufactured by HOYA Corporation). The lens thus coated with the antifogging composition was fixed 5 cm above the surface of warm water kept at 34°C and allowed to stand for 5 minutes. Note that the lens was placed with the antifogging composition-coated side facing downward, i.e., on the side directly in contact with the steam from the warm water. After standing for 5 minutes, the appearance of the lens was observed, and the degree of fogging was evaluated according to the following criteria. For reference, photographs of the appearance of lenses corresponding to each criteria are shown in Figure 1. - Criteria for Antifogging Effect Evaluation AA: Clear with no fogging at all. A: Clear with almost no fogging. B: Clouding occurs, but the depth of the lens is visible. C: Heavy clouding occurs, and the depth of the lens is not visible.

[0052] 2. Test Results The results are shown in Tables 1 to 4. When a fluororesin surfactant was included but no glycol ether was included, neither good coating uniformity nor good anti-fogging effect was achieved (Comparative Examples 1 to 5, 13, and 14). Furthermore, when a fluororesin surfactant was not included but a glycol ether was included, both coating uniformity and anti-fogging effect were poor (Comparative Examples 6 and 7). Furthermore, when a fluororesin surfactant and a glycol ether were included but the glycol ether content exceeded 10% by weight, both coating uniformity and anti-fogging effect were insufficient (Comparative Examples 8 to 12 and 15 to 17). In contrast, when a fluororesin surfactant and a glycol ether were included and the glycol ether content was 10% by weight or less, good coating uniformity and excellent anti-fogging effect were achieved (Examples 1 to 30).

[0053]

[0054]

[0055]

[0056]

Claims

1. An anti-fogging composition comprising a fluorine-based surfactant and a glycol ether, wherein the content of the glycol ether is 10% by weight or less.

2. The anti-fogging composition according to claim 1, wherein the glycol ether is at least one selected from the group consisting of monoalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, esters of monoalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, monoalkylene glycol monoaryl ethers, and polyalkylene glycol dialkyl ethers.

3. The anti-fogging agent composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content of the fluorine-containing surfactant is 0.1 to 20% by weight.

4. The antifogging agent composition according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a monohydric lower alcohol.

5. The antifogging agent composition according to claim 4, wherein the monohydric lower alcohol is isopropanol and / or ethanol.

6. The antifogging agent composition according to claim 1 or 2, which is applied to an eyewear lens.

7. An anti-fogging sheet comprising the anti-fogging composition according to claim 1 or 2 and a substrate sheet, the substrate sheet being impregnated with the anti-fogging composition.

8. The anti-fog sheet according to claim 7, which is applied to an eyewear lens.

9. A method for preventing fogging on a hard surface, which comprises applying the antifogging agent composition according to claim 1 or 2 to the hard surface.

10. The method for antifogging a hard surface according to claim 9, wherein the hard surface is the surface of an eyewear lens.

11. Use of a composition containing a fluorochemical surfactant and a glycol ether, wherein the content of the glycol ether is 10% by weight or less, for imparting anti-fogging properties to a hard surface.

12. Use of a sheet comprising a composition containing a fluorine-based surfactant and a glycol ether, with the glycol ether content being 10% by weight or less, and a substrate sheet, the substrate sheet being impregnated with the anti-fogging agent composition, to impart anti-fogging properties to the hard surface.