Fluorinated Ester Additives for Architectural Coatings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Water-based latex coating compositions exhibit low oil repellency and poor cleanability due to their susceptibility to soiling and harsh environmental conditions, with existing fluorosurfactant additives providing short-term performance that washes away quickly.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of fluorinated ester compounds with fluoroalkyl thioether groups into water-based latex coatings, which migrate to the surface while wet and remain stable under harsh conditions, enhancing water and oil contact angles, dirt pickup resistance, and cleanability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fluorosurfactant additives are used to improve cleanability, then surface cleanability is improved, but durability is worsened as additives wash away quickly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecleanabilityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines fluorinated ester compounds with thioether groups into a unified additive structure that integrates both surface activity and durability. This composite molecular structure allows the additive to provide cleanability enhancement while resisting wash-off, resolving the contradiction between immediate surface performance and long-term durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of traditional fluorosurfactants by incorporating thioether groups into the molecular structure. This parameter change (adding S-containing functional groups) fundamentally alters the additive's behavior, providing both surface activity for cleanability and enhanced stability for durability, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If coating compositions are made water-based for ease of application, then ease of operation is improved, but oil repellency is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of applicationVSAvoidoil repellency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of water-based coatings by incorporating fluorinated ester compounds with thioether groups. This parameter modification enables the coating to maintain water-based applicability while developing oil-repellent properties through the fluorinated and thioether functional groups at the coating surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates local quality differentiation within the coating system: the bulk remains water-based for ease of application, while the surface develops oil-repellent characteristics through the migration and accumulation of fluorinated thioether compounds at the coating-air interface, thus resolving the contradiction between water-based applicability and oil repellency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If small molecule additives are used to migrate to surface for surface effects, then surface activity is improved, but stability is worsened under harsh environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface activityVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite molecular structure combining the surface-active fluorinated ester portion with stabilizing thioether groups. This composite design allows the molecule to migrate to the surface for surface activity while the thioether portion provides stability against harsh environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between surface activity and environmental stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 fluorinated ester compounds provide long-term durability and improved surface effects, including increased water and oil contact angles, enhanced dirt resistance, and improved cleanability, addressing the limitations of existing additives.

Implementation Method 1

The compounds are small enough to migrate to the coating surface while wet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMigration: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

increased water and oil contact angles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension modification: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

The thioether groups of the present fluorinated ester compounds provide a hydrolytic stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolytic stability: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3645634B1Fluorinated ester compound additives for architectural coatings

Publication Date: 2022.12.28 THE CHEMOURS CO FC LLC

AI summary

The present invention is a composition of (a) a coating base selected from a water-dispersed coating, an epoxy polymer coating, an alkyd coating, a Type I urethane coating, or an unsaturated polyester coating; and (b) a fluorinated ester compound having a plurality of fluoroalkyl thioether groups, wherein the number average molecular weight of the fluorinated ester compound is < 30,000 Da; and where the fluorinated group Rf is independently a straight or branched perfluoroalkyi group of 2 to 20 carbon atoms, which is optionally interrupted by one or more CH2, CFH, ether oxygens -O-, or combinations thereof. The fluorinated ester compounds provide cleanability to the resulting coating made from the present composition.