Fluorinated Ether Block Copolymer Coating Abrasion Repellency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluorinated ether compounds fail to simultaneously achieve high initial water/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, and fingerprint stain removability, with specific compounds excelling in either water/oil repellency or abrasion resistance but lacking in other performance areas.

Innovation Solution

A fluorinated ether compound with a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain structure featuring block-linking of C1-3 and C4-15 oxyperfluoroalkylene units, combined with a hydrolysable silyl group, is used to form a surface-treated layer, enhancing both initial water/oil repellency and abrasion resistance while improving fingerprint stain removability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluorinated ether compound (1) with random (CF2O) and (CF2CF2O) units is used, then abrasion resistance and fingerprint stain removability are improved, but initial water/oil repellency becomes inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidinitial water/oil repellency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating distinct blocks with different compositions: block (α) containing (CF2O) and (CF2CF2O) units for abrasion resistance, and block (β) containing (CF2CF2CF2O) and/or (CF(CF3)CF2O) units for enhanced water/oil repellency. This spatial segmentation allows each block to perform its specific function optimally within the same polymer chain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining different fluorinated ether units in a block copolymer structure. The composite of block (α) and block (β) creates a material that exhibits both high abrasion resistance and superior initial water/oil repellency, achieving properties that neither block could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fluorinated ether compound (2) with multiple random units is used, then initial water/oil repellency is improved, but abrasion resistance and fingerprint stain removability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial water/oil repellencyVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating distinct blocks with different compositions: block (α) containing (CF2O) and (CF2CF2O) units for abrasion resistance, and block (β) containing (CF2CF2CF2O) and/or (CF(CF3)CF2O) units for enhanced water/oil repellency. This spatial segmentation allows each block to perform its specific function optimally within the same polymer chain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining different fluorinated ether units in a block copolymer structure. The composite of block (α) and block (β) creates a material that exhibits both high abrasion resistance and superior initial water/oil repellency, achieving properties that neither block could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fluorinated ether compounds (3) or (4) with single type units are used, then initial water/oil repellency is excellent, but abrasion resistance and fingerprint stain removability become inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial water/oil repellencyVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating distinct blocks with different compositions: block (α) containing (CF2O) and (CF2CF2O) units for abrasion resistance, and block (β) containing (CF2CF2CF2O) and/or (CF(CF3)CF2O) units for enhanced water/oil repellency. This spatial segmentation allows each block to perform its specific function optimally within the same polymer chain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining different fluorinated ether units in a block copolymer structure. The composite of block (α) and block (β) creates a material that exhibits both high abrasion resistance and superior initial water/oil repellency, achieving properties that neither block could provide alone.

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 solution effectively creates a surface-treated layer with superior initial water/oil repellency, excellent abrasion resistance, and improved fingerprint stain removability, maintaining performance even after repeated abrasion.

Implementation Method 1

a fluorinated ether compound which has a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain (αβ) and has a hydrolysable silyl group on at least one terminal of the poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain (αβ) via a linking group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2816045B1Fluorinated ether compound, fluorinated ether composition and coating fluid, and substrate having surface-treated layer and method for its production
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 AGC INC

AI summary

To provide a fluorinated ether compound, a fluorinated ether composition and a coating liquid, whereby it is possible to form a surface-treated layer which has high initial water/oil repellency and which is excellent in abrasion resistance and finger print stain removability, and a substrate having a surface-treated layer and a method for its production. A fluorinated ether compound which has a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain (αβ) having a structure of block (α)-block (β) or a structure of block (β)-block (α)-block (β), formed by linking a block (α) comprising at least three C1-3 oxyperfluoroalkylene units of at least one type and a block (β) having C4-15 oxyperfluoroalkylene units of at least one type, wherein the proportion of the C4-15 oxyperfluoroalkylene units is at least 30 mol% among all oxyperfluoroalkylene units constituting the block (β), and which has a hydrolysable silyl group on at least one terminal of the poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain (αβ) via a linking group.