Flexible Material Surface Protecting Layer via UV-Cured Nanocomposite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible substrates used in electronic products suffer from low surface hardness, poor abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, and unsatisfactory heat resistance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the dissolution of aluminum oxide nanoparticles and a polymerizable monomer in a polyimide solution, followed by UV irradiation and heating to form a surface protecting layer on a glass substrate, enhancing the abrasion resistance of the flexible material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a flexible substrate is used in electronic products, then flexibility and light weight are achieved, but surface hardness and abrasion resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polyimide polymer matrix with aluminum oxide nanoparticles to create a surface protecting layer. This composite structure provides both flexibility from the polymer matrix and enhanced surface hardness from the nanoparticle reinforcement, resolving the contradiction between weight/flexibility and surface hardness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a surface protecting layer with different properties than the bulk flexible substrate. The surface layer contains high concentration of aluminum oxide nanoparticles for hardness, while the underlying flexible substrate maintains its flexibility and light weight characteristics, allowing different regions to have optimized properties for their specific functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible substrate is used in electronic products, then flexibility is achieved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite of polyimide and aluminum oxide nanoparticles creates a surface layer that simultaneously provides flexibility (from the polymer chains) and abrasion resistance (from the hard nanoparticle network). The UV irradiation forms a crosslinked polymer matrix that binds the nanoparticles, creating a cohesive composite structure with both properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface protecting layer is applied locally to the flexible substrate, providing enhanced abrasion resistance only where needed for protection, while the bulk substrate maintains its flexibility for device bending and conformability applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible substrate is used in electronic products, then flexibility is achieved, but chemical resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The polyimide-aluminum oxide composite provides chemical resistance through the inertness of aluminum oxide nanoparticles and the stability of the polyimide polymer. The UV-induced crosslinking creates a dense network structure that resists chemical penetration, while the flexible substrate beneath maintains bendability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible substrate is used in electronic products, then flexibility is achieved, but heat resisting properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The aluminum oxide nanoparticles have high thermal stability and act as heat barriers within the polyimide matrix. This composite structure improves heat resistance compared to pure polymer, while the flexible substrate maintains its mechanical flexibility for device applications.
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 method significantly improves the abrasion resistance of flexible materials, addressing the limitations of existing flexible substrates.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating the surface of the glass substrate with UV light to form a network polymer on the surface of the glass substrate, the network polymer enclosing the aluminum oxide nanoparticles
Implementation Method 2
heating the glass substrate to form the flexible material having the surface protecting layer, wherein heating the glass substrate to form the flexible material having the surface protecting layer includes: heating the glass substrate at 100-120° C. for 5-10 minutes; heating the glass substrate at 200-250° C. for 20-60 minutes; and heating the glass substrate at 300-350° C. for 5-15 minutes
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present disclosure, a plurality of aluminum oxide nanoparticles and a polymerizable monomer are dissolved in a polyimide solution to obtain a polyimide mixed solution. Next, the polyimide mixed solution is coated onto a glass substrate. Then, the surface of the glass substrate is irradiated with UV light to form a network polymer on the surface of the glass substrate, the network polymer enclosing the aluminum oxide nanoparticles. Finally, the glass substrate is heated to form the flexible material having the surface protecting layer. Abrasion resistance of the flexible material manufactured according to the present disclosure is excellent.