Crosslinked Polymer Films With Triggered Amines for Solvent Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Soluble polymers with imide groups lack the solvent resistance required for electronic component manufacturing, leading to degradation during fabrication.
Innovation Solution
A crosslinking process involving a coating solution with a soluble polymer and a crosslinking precursor, where the precursor includes a first amine group that is either reactive or passivated, and additional amine groups that are initially un-reactive but can be activated by an external stimulus to form reactive amines, allowing crosslinking after film formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If soluble polymers with imide groups are used to form polymer films, then film-forming temperature is reduced and processing is simplified, but solvent resistance deteriorates leading to degradation during fabrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a crosslinking precursor into the coating solution before film formation. This precursor contains passivated amine groups that remain inactive during casting and drying, then activate subsequently to crosslink the polymer matrix. This allows the film to be formed at lower temperatures using soluble polymers, while the crosslinking that follows restores solvent resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between low-temperature processing and solvent resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing passivated amine groups in the crosslinking precursor that can be activated under specific conditions. The passivation state allows the precursor to remain unreactive during film formation, enabling low-temperature processing. Subsequent activation (through heating, moisture, or other stimuli) transforms the parameter state of the amine groups from passivated to reactive, forming crosslinks that provide solvent resistance. This dynamic parameter change resolves the contradiction between processing temperature and final film performance.
2Reliability
If crosslinking is performed immediately upon introduction of crosslinking precursor, then solvent resistance is improved, but film formation becomes difficult due to premature gelation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses passivated amine groups as an intermediary mechanism. The passivation acts as a temporary mediator that prevents premature crosslinking during film formation, allowing the coating solution to be cast and dried without gelation. After the film is formed, the passivation is removed or activated, allowing crosslinking to proceed and provide solvent resistance. This intermediary passivation state resolves the contradiction between preventing premature crosslinking and achieving final crosslinked performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action in reverse by preparing the crosslinking precursor in a passivated state before film formation. This preliminary passivation prevents premature crosslinking during casting and drying, making film formation easy. The crosslinking action is then initiated afterward through activation of the passivated groups, providing solvent resistance without compromising the ease of film formation.
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 results in polymer films with excellent solvent resistance and improved mechanical properties, maintaining film integrity during processing and use.
Implementation Method 1
activating the crosslinking precursor using an external stimulus to form at least two reactive amines and crosslink the polymer
Implementation Method 2
drying the crosslinked polymer film
Data Source
AI summary
In a first aspect, a process for forming a crosslinked polymer film includes: (a) casting a coating solution, (b) activating the crosslinking precursor using an external stimulus to form at least two reactive amines and crosslink the polymer, and (c) drying the crosslinked polymer film. The coating solution includes a soluble polymer, including an imide group, and a crosslinking precursor. The crosslinking precursor includes a first amine group that is either reactive or passivated towards crosslinking, and one or more additional amine groups, wherein the one or more additional amine groups has been passivated towards crosslinking such that the crosslinking precursor is un-reactive towards the soluble polymer having an imide group upon initial introduction and after activation can be chemically cleaved, thermally cleaved, photo- cleaved or dissociated to form at least two reactive amines.