Fluorinated Polyester Coating for Dispersion and Phase Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluorinated additives, such as PTFE and PFPE, face challenges in dispersion within polymers, leading to poor coating properties due to phase separation and compatibility issues, which affect device performance.

Innovation Solution

A novel fluorinated polyester compound is synthesized by combining hydroxyl terminated polyphenyl ether, carboxylic acid terminated perfluoropolyether, and an acid catalyst in the presence of a solvent, forming a compatible blend with common polymers that can be used in coating solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If insoluble particles such as PTFE and PFA are used as fluorinated additives, then low surface energy and non-sticking properties are achieved, but poor dispersion quality and challenging dispersing process occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-sticking propertiesVSAvoiddispersing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of fluorinated additives from insoluble particles to soluble fluorinated polyester compounds. This parameter change enables the additives to dissolve uniformly in polymer matrices and coating solutions, eliminating dispersion challenges while maintaining the desired low surface energy and non-sticking properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by combining fluorinated polyester compounds with common polymers in a molecularly compatible manner. The fluorinated polyester acts as a soluble additive that integrates at the molecular level within the polymer matrix, achieving both ease of manufacture and reliable performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If soluble fluoropolymers such as PFPE and VITON fluoroelastomers are used, then easy mixing with polymers is achieved, but phase separation occurs and fluoropolymer migrates to the surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing compatibilityVSAvoidphase separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure parameter by synthesizing fluorinated polyester compounds with specific molecular architectures that balance solubility and compatibility. These compounds contain both fluorinated segments (for low surface energy) and polyester segments (for compatibility with common polymers), preventing phase separation while maintaining compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The fluorinated polyester compound exhibits local quality differentiation within its molecular structure: fluorinated portions provide low surface energy and non-sticking properties, while polyester portions ensure compatibility and uniform distribution in the polymer matrix. This local differentiation prevents migration to the surface while maintaining manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If fluoropolymer additives are blended with common polymers, then final application performance is improved, but coating uniformity deteriorates due to migration to surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication performanceVSAvoidcoating uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular solubility parameter of fluorinated additives by creating fluorinated polyester compounds that are truly soluble in common polymers and coating solutions. This eliminates the migration phenomenon entirely, allowing the fluorinated components to remain uniformly distributed throughout the bulk coating, thereby achieving both improved application performance and manufacturing precision.

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 polyester compound improves coating uniformity and mechanical properties, providing hydrophobic and oleophobic surfaces without macrophase separation, enhancing the performance of coatings in applications like photoconductors and printing systems.

Implementation Method 1

The fluorinated polyester compound is made by combining ingredients comprising a hydroxyl terminated polyphenyl ether; a carboxylic acid terminated perfluoropolyether; an acid catalyst; and a solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation polymerization: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS8716428B2Fluorinated polyester compound, coating compositions comprising the compound and methods of making

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 XEROX CORP

AI summary

An fluorinated polyester compound is disclosed. The fluorinated polyester compound can be made by combining ingredients comprising a hydroxyl terminated polyphenyl ether; a carboxylic acid terminated perfluoropolyether; an acid catalyst; and a solvent. A coating solution comprising the fluorinated polyester compound and a method of coating a substrate therewith are also disclosed.