Fluorinated Ether Coating for Touch Panel Abrasion and Repellency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluorinated ether compounds fail to provide a balance of high initial water/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, and fingerprint stain removability on substrate surfaces, particularly in applications like touch panels where repeated contact occurs.

Innovation Solution

A fluorinated ether compound with a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain and a hydrolysable silyl group, specifically structured with alternating C1-2 and C3-6 oxyperfluoroalkylene groups, is used to form a surface-treated layer that enhances water/oil repellency and abrasion resistance while allowing easy removal of fingerprints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidinitial water/oil repellency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular structure parameters by specifying alternating linkage of (CF2O) and (CF2CF2O) groups in a defined ratio (0.2-0.8 for (CF2O) and 0.2-0.8 for (CF2CF2O)), which simultaneously optimizes both the initial water/oil repellency and abrasion resistance properties that were previously contradictory

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

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

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular structure by controlling the linkage ratio of (CF2O) and (CF2CF2O) groups within specific ranges (0.2-0.8), and by defining the poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain length (n=2-10), achieving a balance between initial water/oil repellency and abrasion resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite molecular structure combining specific fluorinated ether chains with silane coupling agents (having hydrolyzable groups), forming a hybrid material that provides both excellent initial water/oil repellency and superior abrasion resistance through synergistic effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If fluorinated ether compounds (3) or (4) with single type linkage 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:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a composite material system combining fluorinated ether compounds with silane coupling agents that have hydrolyzable groups, creating a surface treatment layer that exhibits both excellent initial water/oil repellency and superior abrasion resistance and fingerprint stain removability

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 achieves a surface-treated layer with superior initial water/oil repellency and abrasion resistance, ensuring effective fingerprint stain removability even after repeated contact, making it suitable for touch panel applications.

Implementation Method 1

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2816047B1Fluorinated ether compound, fluorinated ether composition and coating liquid, and substrate having surface-treated layer and method for its production
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 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)n) made of at least two units (αβ) linked to one another, and which has a hydrolysable silyl group on at least one terminal of the chain ((αβ)n) via a linking group, wherein each unit (αβ) is a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) group comprising one to three groups (α) made of at least one type of a C1-2 oxyperfluoroalkylene group and one to three groups (β) made of at least one type of a C3-6 oxyperfluoroalkylene group.