Fluorinated Ether Coating for Abrasion-Resistant Water Repellency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluorinated ether compounds with high initial water/oil repellency are inadequate in abrasion resistance and fingerprint stain removability, limiting their long-term effectiveness in surface treatment applications.

Innovation Solution

A fluorinated ether compound with a specific molecular structure, featuring a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain and hydrolysable silyl groups, is used to form a surface-treated layer that balances initial water/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, and fingerprint stain removability through a combination of chemical bonding and molecular weight optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fluorinated ether compound with poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain is used for surface treatment, then initial water/oil repellency is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial water/oil repellencyVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the fluorinated ether compound to optimize both initial water/oil repellency and abrasion resistance. By controlling the molecular weight within a specific range, the compound achieves high initial repellency while maintaining sufficient abrasion resistance for long-term performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite approach by combining the fluorinated ether compound with specific functional groups (hydrolysable silyl groups) to create a surface-treated layer that integrates both repellency and durability functions, resolving the contradiction between initial performance and long-term abrasion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a fluorinated ether compound with poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain is used for surface treatment, then initial water/oil repellency is improved, but fingerprint stain removability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial water/oil repellencyVSAvoidfingerprint stain removability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter of the fluorinated ether compound to balance initial water/oil repellency with fingerprint stain removability. The specific molecular weight range enables the surface to repel stains effectively while maintaining ease of removal through wiping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates hydrolysable silyl groups into the fluorinated ether compound structure, creating a composite functional material that provides both high initial repellency and good fingerprint stain removability, resolving the contradiction between these two performance aspects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Duration of action of stationary object

If a fluorinated ether compound is used to maintain water/oil repellency over time, then durability is improved, but initial repellency performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of water/oil repellencyVSAvoidinitial water/oil repellency
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the molecular weight parameter of the fluorinated ether compound to achieve a balance between initial repellency performance and long-term durability. This parameter optimization ensures that the surface maintains high repellency initially while sustaining it over time through repeated contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ether compound achieves high initial water/oil repellency and excellent abrasion resistance and fingerprint stain removability, maintaining performance over time, particularly suitable for touch panels and surfaces subject to repeated contact.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrolysable silyl group at one terminal via a linking group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

through a combination of chemical bonding and molecular weight optimization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

a fluorinated ether compound having a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain in which an ether bond (-O-) is present in the middle of a perfluoroalkyl chain is particularly excellent in the fat and oil stain removability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobe: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP2816046B1Fluorinated ether compound, fluorinated ether composition and coating fluid, and substrate having surface-treated layer and method for its production
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 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 fingerprint 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 C4 oxyperfluoroalkylene unit (α) and an oxyperfluoroalkylene unit (β) other than the unit (α) and which has a hydrolysable silyl group on at least one terminal of the poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain (αβ) via a linking group.