Flexible Photopatternable Siloxane Hard Coats for Abrasion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transparent plastics used in flexible electronics lack sufficient abrasion resistance and flexibility, and existing hard coating technologies fail to provide both high surface hardness and optical quality, particularly in photopatternable coatings.
Innovation Solution
A layered structure comprising a substrate and a siloxane polymer layer is developed, achieved by depositing a composition of at least three different silane monomers, including a bi-silane with an active group for cross-linking, which are hydrolyzed and partially polymerized to form a cross-linked siloxane polymer layer, capable of being bent without breaking and exhibiting high surface hardness and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If transparent plastics such as PET, PI, PC or PMMA are used as core materials in flexible electronics, then high light transmittance and suitable refractive index are achieved, but abrasion resistance and surface hardness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining organic-inorganic hybrid siloxane polymers with specific molecular structures that integrate the flexibility and moldability of organic materials with the high surface hardness and abrasion resistance of inorganic materials. The siloxane polymer composition includes cross-linked structures that provide both organic flexibility and inorganic hardness, creating a composite coating that simultaneously achieves light transmittance, abrasion resistance, and flexibility.
2Strength
If silicon-based inorganic materials are used for hard coating, then high surface hardness and transparency are achieved, but flexibility and moldability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses organic-inorganic hybrid siloxane polymers that combine the high surface hardness of inorganic silicon-based materials with the flexibility of organic polymer chains. The siloxane backbone provides inorganic hardness while organic side groups and cross-linked structures maintain flexibility and moldability, enabling the coating to be bent without breaking while retaining surface hardness greater than 3H.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film technology by applying a siloxane polymer coating with thickness of 1 to 50 μm that forms a flexible protective layer. The thin film structure allows the coating to bend around mandrels with small radii of curvature without breaking, while still providing hard coating functionality. The flexible thin film integrates both protection and flexibility requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional hard coating materials are used to improve surface hardness, then abrasion resistance is improved, but photopatternability and optical quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the molecular structure of siloxane polymers to include specific functional groups that enable photopatternability. The siloxane polymer composition contains hydrolyzable groups and cross-linkable functional groups that allow the coating to be cured by UV irradiation or moisture, enabling photopatterning processes. This changes the chemical parameters of the coating material to achieve both hard coating properties and photopatternability.
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 siloxane polymer layer demonstrates excellent bendability, surface hardness greater than 3H, adhesion, and scratch resistance, with a thickness of 1 to 50 μm, allowing it to be bent around a mandrel with a radius of curvature without breaking, suitable for flexible electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
which are hydrolyzed and partially polymerized to form a cross-linked siloxane polymer layer
Implementation Method 2
which are hydrolyzed and partially polymerized to form a cross-linked siloxane polymer layer
Implementation Method 3
including a bi-silane with an active group for cross-linking, which are hydrolyzed and partially polymerized to form a cross-linked siloxane polymer layer
Data Source
AI summary
A layered structure comprising a substrate layer; and a layer of a siloxane polymer on the substrate layer, the layered structure being capable of being bent about a mandrel having a radius of curvature without breaking. The layer of the siloxane polymer has a thickness of 1 to 50 μm, in particular about 5 to 20 μm, and it is obtained by depositing on the substrate a composition comprising at least three different silane monomers, including at least one bi-silane; at least one of the silane monomers having an active group capable of achieving cross-linking to adjacent siloxane polymer; at least partially hydrolyzing the silane monomers to form siloxane polymer chains; and cross-linking the siloxane polymer chains so as to achieve a cross-linked siloxane polymer layer on the substrate.