Cross-Linked Plasma Coatings for Hydrophobic Electronics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plasma polymerization processes for creating hydrophobic coatings on electronic devices face challenges in achieving stable, non-sticky, and non-smudgy coatings with optimal water contact angles, as higher plasma energies lead to monomer fragmentation and crosslinking, compromising the coating's properties.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a crosslinking reagent with unsaturated bonds into the plasma polymerization process to form a cross-linked polymeric coating, allowing for high crosslinking levels at lower energy inputs, resulting in a stable, hydrophobic coating that resists water ingress and maintains a high water contact angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If higher plasma energy is used for polymerisation, then the coating becomes more crosslinked and resistant to smearing, but the water contact angle decreases due to monomer fragmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing crosslinking reagents (divinyl adipate, 1,4-butanediol divinyl ether, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol divinyl ether) with specific functional groups that enable crosslinking at lower plasma energies, thus maintaining high water contact angles while achieving coating stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite polymer coatings by combining perfluoroalkyl acrylate monomers with crosslinking reagents, forming a crosslinked copolymer structure that integrates both hydrophobicity (from perfluoroalkyl chains) and mechanical stability (from crosslinked network)
2Manufacturing precision
If lower plasma energy is used for polymerisation, then the water contact angle is maintained, but the coating becomes tacky and smudgy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters by incorporating crosslinking reagents that can form crosslinks at lower plasma energies, enabling the coating to achieve both high water contact angle and non-tacky, smudge-free properties simultaneously
3Strength
If long chain perfluoroalkyl polymers are produced, then the coating is non-sticky and stable in water, but the crystalline structure makes it difficult to process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polymer structure parameters by using crosslinking reagents to create a crosslinked network that provides stability without requiring long crystalline chains, thus simplifying processing while maintaining performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite structures combining perfluoroalkyl acrylate units with crosslinker units, forming a crosslinked copolymer that achieves stability through the network structure rather than crystalline ordering, improving processability
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 cross-linked polymeric coating effectively prevents water-based liquid ingress, provides electrical resistance, and allows for electrical connections without removing the coating, while maintaining a high water contact angle and preventing smearing.
Implementation Method 1
the protective cross-linked polymeric coating is obtainable by exposing the electronic or electrical device or component thereof to a plasma comprising a monomer compound
Implementation Method 2
a cross-linked polymeric coating is obtainable by exposing the electronic or electrical device or component thereof to a plasma comprising a monomer compound and a crosslinking reagent
Implementation Method 3
The coatings can protect by being hydrophobic and so resist the ingress of water-based liquid into electronic devices
Implementation Method 4
they can protect by forming a barrier coating and so provide electrical resistance between the electrical parts of the phone and water based liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electronic or electrical device or component thereof comprising a cross-linked polymeric coating on a surface of the electronic or electrical device or component thereof; wherein the cross-linked polymeric coating is obtainable by exposing the electronic or electrical device or component thereof to a plasma comprising a monomer compound and a crosslinking reagent for a period of time sufficient to allow formation of the cross-linked polymeric coating on a surface thereof,wherein the monomer compound has the following formula:where R1, R2 and R4 are each independently selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted branched or straight chain C1-C6 alkyl or halo alkyl or aryl optionally substituted by halo, and R3 is selected from:where each X is independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, optionally substituted branched or straight chain C1-C6 alkyl, halo alkyl or aryl optionally substituted by halo; and n1 is an integer from 1 to 27; and wherein the crosslinking reagent comprises two or more unsaturated bonds attached by means of one or more linker moieties and has a boiling point at standard pressure of less than 500° C.