Anti-fogging Coating via Cross-linked Polymer Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-fogging materials lack durability and resistance to abrasion, with hydrophobic types offering limited anti-fogging effects and hydrophilic types being prone to removal due to soft structures and poor physical properties.
Innovation Solution
A cross-linked polymer anti-fogging material is developed, comprising an ionic compound with acrylate functional groups, a surface active compound, and a hard compound, which forms a network structure to enhance both anti-fogging and physical properties, achieved through a curing process involving UV light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophilic material is used to achieve better anti-fogging effect, then anti-fogging performance is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates due to soft structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hydrophilic ionic compounds with hard compounds containing acrylate functional groups to create a composite coating system. The hydrophilic component provides anti-fogging functionality while the hard component provides abrasion resistance, resolving the contradiction between these two properties through material composition rather than single-material reliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the coating by incorporating ionic compounds with specific structures (formula I) and controlling their interaction with hard compounds. This parameter change enables the coating to simultaneously achieve low surface energy for anti-fogging and high hardness for abrasion resistance, transforming the inherent limitation of hydrophilic materials
2Ease of operation
If hydrophobic material is used to prevent water droplet rolling, then surface tension is reduced, but anti-fogging effect becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using conventional hydrophobic materials that repel water droplets, the patent inverts the approach by using hydrophilic ionic compounds that attract and flatten water droplets into a uniform film. This inversion of the surface tension strategy achieves superior anti-fogging performance by preventing localized condensation while maintaining ease of application
3Reliability
If temporary anti-fogging coatings are applied, then anti-fogging function is provided, but durability and resistance to wiping deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces temporary physical coatings with a chemically cured cross-linked polymer system. The UV-curing process creates a permanent chemical network that integrates the anti-fogging functionality into a durable, wipe-resistant structure, transforming the coating from a temporary surface treatment to a permanent material modification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates UV-curable functional groups in advance during the coating formulation stage. This preliminary preparation enables subsequent UV irradiation to trigger rapid cross-linking and curing, creating a durable, long-lasting anti-fogging coating that resists wiping and degradation over time
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 material effectively prevents fogging by flattening water droplets and provides high abrasion resistance, maintaining clarity and durability, with a transmittance of at least 90% and pencil hardness greater than 3H, while passing UV aging tests for over 90 hours.
Implementation Method 1
A hydrophilic material has a large surface tension, which can flatten the water droplets into a water film, and its anti-fogging effect is better than that of the hydrophobic type
Implementation Method 2
irradiating the substrate coated with the solution is with UV light to form the anti-fogging material
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an anti-fogging material and a manufacturing method thereof. The anti-fogging material includes a crosslinked polymer obtained by curing an anti-fogging composition, wherein the anti-fogging composition includes an ionic compound, a hard compound with two or more acrylate functional groups at the terminus thereof, and a surface active compound.