Alternating PFPE Polymers for Magnetic Recording Lubricants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for synthesizing (per)fluoropolyether polymers result in randomly distributed recurring units, making the polymer backbone prone to attack by metals and Lewis acids, and lacking control over the chemical structure, which is undesirable for applications like lubricants in magnetic recording media.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the contact of perfluoro compounds with hydrogenated compounds, followed by fluorination, to create polymers with alternately arranged recurring units, ensuring a predetermined structure and enhancing backbone stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If photochemical oxidation of perfluoroolefins is used to synthesize PFPE polymers, then the polymer can be produced with commercial availability, but the recurring units are randomly distributed along the backbone chain creating weak points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first synthesizing the perfluoroolefin monomers with predetermined structures before polymerization. The monomers are designed with specific fluorinated groups that will form alternating patterns in the final polymer, ensuring the desired structure is built from the ground up rather than attempting to control distribution during random polymerization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the monomers by introducing specific fluorinated groups (CF3, CF2) at predetermined positions. This parameter modification ensures that when polymerization occurs, the recurring units are forced into alternating arrangements rather than random distributions, directly addressing the backbone stability issue while maintaining manufacturability
2Reliability
If catalytic polymerization of perfluoroepoxides is used to produce homopolymers, then the polymer structure is ordered and stable, but the structure is limited to only one type of recurring unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple types of fluorinated recurring units (containing CF3 groups, CF2 groups, and other fluorinated moieties) within a single polymer chain. This creates a composite polymer structure that maintains the ordered alternating arrangement characteristic of stable homopolymers while incorporating the structural diversity needed for various lubricant applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the polymer backbone into distinct alternating segments of different fluorinated recurring units. Each segment type contributes specific properties, and their alternating arrangement maintains overall structural stability while providing versatility. The polymer is essentially segmented into repeating patterns of unit A, unit B, unit A, unit B, etc.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple consecutive recurring units with one carbon atoms are formed, then the polymer backbone flexibility increases, but the polymer becomes more susceptible to attack by metals and Lewis acids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-designing the monomer structures to prevent the formation of multiple consecutive one-carbon recurring units. The fluorinated groups are positioned in the monomers such that polymerization naturally produces alternating patterns, preemptively blocking the formation of vulnerable sequences before they can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of flexible backbone sections into a benefit by using the flexibility-providing fluorinated groups (like CF3) but arranging them in alternating patterns rather than consecutive sequences. This transforms what could be weak points into stable, flexible segments that enhance polymer performance without creating susceptibility to attack
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process synthesizes polymers with defined recurring unit distribution, improving stability and making them suitable for high-temperature applications as lubricants in magnetic recording media, particularly in heat-assisted magnetic recording technology.
Implementation Method 1
contacting at least one perfluoro compound with at least one hydrogenated compound, to provide a polymer
Implementation Method 2
contacting the polymer with a source of fluorine, to provide a perfluoropolyether polymer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of (per)fluoropolyether polymers and to certain novel (per)fluoropolyether polymers. The present invention also relates to the use the (per)fluoropolyether polymers thus obtained, as intermediate compounds for the manufacture of further polymers suitable for use as lubricants, notably for magnetic recording media (MRM).