Antifouling Structure Silane Layer Composite Liquid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antifouling structures face challenges in achieving both high durability and excellent antifouling properties, particularly when using antifouling liquids with low kinematic viscosity, as they tend to suffer from volatility and leakage issues.

Innovation Solution

A mixture of antifouling liquids with different molecular weights and kinematic viscosities is employed, where a first antifouling liquid with clumped molecular shapes and a second antifouling liquid with straight molecular shapes are combined, along with a surface modification layer derived from a silane coupling agent, to enhance both antifouling properties and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an antifouling liquid with low kinematic viscosity is employed to achieve excellent antifouling property, then antifouling performance is improved, but depletion resistance (volatility and leakage) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantifouling propertyVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite antifouling liquid system combining fluorinated oil and silicone oil in a specific ratio (0.1-5 mass%). The fluorinated oil provides excellent antifouling properties through low surface energy, while the silicone oil contributes to durability through appropriate viscosity and molecular weight. This composite approach allows the system to achieve both low kinematic viscosity for antifouling performance and sufficient depletion resistance for durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically optimizes critical parameters including the kinematic viscosity ratio between fluorinated oil and silicone oil (0.01-0.1), the molecular weight of silicone oil (10,000-50,000), and the mass% ratio of components (0.1-5%). By precisely controlling these parameters, the invention achieves the optimal balance between low viscosity for antifouling effectiveness and sufficient viscosity for preventing volatility and leakage, thereby resolving the contradiction between antifouling property and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of repair

If the antifouling material is retained in a porous structure to enable self-repair, then self-repair capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and substrate selection are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-repair capabilityVSAvoidsubstrate structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a thin film surface modification layer (5-50 nm thickness) derived from silane coupling agents onto the oxide layer. This ultra-thin modification layer provides antifouling functionality without requiring a thick porous structure. The silane-based layer forms a dense, uniform coating that retains antifouling liquid while maintaining substrate transparency and simplifying the overall structure compared to thick porous substrates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a surface modification layer derived from silane coupling agents as an intermediary between the oxide layer and the antifouling liquid. This intermediate layer serves multiple functions: it provides anchoring sites for antifouling liquid retention, ensures uniform distribution, and enables self-repair capability without requiring a complex porous substrate structure. The silane layer acts as a mediator that simplifies the overall system while maintaining self-repair functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach improves depletion resistance, such as volatility and leakage resistance, resulting in an antifouling structure with enhanced durability and antifouling performance.

Implementation Method 1

the surface modification layer is a modification layer derived from a silane coupling agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSilane coupling: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a mixture of antifouling liquids of two or more types which are different from each other in the relationship between the molecular weight and the kinematic viscosity is employed, whereby these two or more types of antifouling liquids mutually complement one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity difference:

Data Source

PatentEP3524426B1Antifouling structure

Publication Date: 2022.06.15 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

Figure 1

AI summary

The antifouling structure of the present invention includes an oxide layer, a surface modification layer that modifies the surface of the oxide layer, and an antifouling liquid retained in the surface modification layer. And in the antifouling structure, the surface modification layer is a modification layer derived from a silane coupling agent; the antifouling liquid includes a first antifouling liquid satisfying Equation (1) below and a second antifouling liquid satisfying Equation (2) below; and the volume ratio (first antifouling liquid / second antifouling liquid) of the first antifouling liquid to the second antifouling liquid is from 1/2 to 100/1: Y≤3⁢X+2000 Y>3⁢X+2000 in which, in Equations (1) and (2), Y represents the average molecular weight of the antifouling liquid, and X represents a kinematic viscosity (cSt) at 20°C of the antifouling liquid.