Fluorinated Ether Coating for Touch Panel Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Touch panel surfaces require improved abrasion resistance and light resistance in addition to maintaining initial water/oil repellency and fingerprint stain removability.

Innovation Solution

A fluorinated ether compound with a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain containing specific oxyperfluoroalkylene units and hydrolyzable silyl groups is used to form a surface layer, providing enhanced abrasion resistance, light resistance, and fingerprint stain removability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fluorinated ether compound with poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain is used to form surface layer, then water/oil repellency and fingerprint stain removability are improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefingerprint stain removabilityVSAvoidabrasion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the fluorinated ether compound by incorporating specific ratios of C4 oxyperfluoroalkylene units (0.02 to 0.5 proportion) and introducing hydrolyzable silyl groups with linking groups. These parameter changes enable the surface layer to achieve both high fingerprint stain removability and improved abrasion resistance simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite surface layer by combining fluorinated ether compounds with silyl groups that can form siloxane bonds. This composite structure integrates the low surface energy properties of fluorinated compounds (for stain removability) with the bonding strength of silane-based materials (for abrasion resistance)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If conventional fluorinated ether compound is used for surface treatment, then initial water/oil repellency is achieved, but light resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater/oil repellencyVSAvoidlight resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters by introducing specific unit compositions (C4 oxyperfluoroalkylene units at controlled proportions) and terminal group modifications (hydrolyzable silyl groups). These parameter changes enhance the stability of the surface layer under light exposure while preserving water/oil repellency properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If fluorinated ether compound with C4 oxyperfluoroalkylene unit is used, then abrasion resistance is improved, but light resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidlight resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the proportion of C4 oxyperfluoroalkylene units to a specific range (0.02 to 0.5) and combines them with hydrolyzable silyl groups. This balanced composition achieves both abrasion resistance and light resistance by controlling the molecular structure parameters

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 effectively forms a surface layer that maintains initial water/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, and fingerprint stain removability while offering improved light resistance.

Implementation Method 1

having at least one of a hydrolyzable silyl group and a silanol group on at least one terminal of the poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

The fluorinated ether compound effectively forms a surface layer that maintains initial water/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, and fingerprint stain removability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

A fluorinated ether compound having a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain is capable of forming on a surface of a substrate a surface layer having high lubricity, water/oil repellency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11634374B2Fluorinated ether compound, fluorinated ether composition, coating liquid, article and its production method

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 AGC INC

AI summary

To provide a fluorinated ether compound capable of forming a surface layer excellent in initial water/oil repellency, fingerprint stain removability, abrasion resistance and light resistance; a fluorinated ether composition and a coating liquid containing the fluorinated ether compound; an article having a surface layer excellent in initial water/oil repellency, fingerprint stain removability, abrasion resistance and light resistance and a method for producing it. A fluorinated ether compound having a poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain having a unit (α) which is an oxyperfluoroalkylene unit having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, and a unit (β) which is an oxyperfluoroalkylene unit having at most 4 carbon atoms, and having at least one of a hydrolysable silyl group and a silanol group on at least one terminal of the poly(oxyperfluoroalkylene) chain via a linking group.