Fluorine-containing polymer, and surface modifier containing same as active ingredient

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluorine-containing polymers with perfluoroalkyl groups having 8 or more carbon atoms exhibit high bioaccumulation potential, leading to environmental concerns and restricted use, while those with fewer carbon atoms lack sufficient performance as surface-modifying agents, and they often have unsatisfactory adhesion and processing durability.

Innovation Solution

A fluorine-containing copolymer comprising polymerization units of a polyfluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative with 6 or less carbon atoms, combined with (meth)acrylic acid esters and NCO group-containing monomers, which enhances adhesion and durability through crosslinking, and is formulated to minimize environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If perfluoroalkyl groups with 8 or more carbon atoms are used in fluorine-containing polymers, then water- and oil-repellent properties are improved, but bioaccumulation potential increases causing environmental problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater- and oil-repellent propertiesVSAvoidbioaccumulation potential
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the carbon atom count parameter of the perfluoroalkyl group from 8 or more to 6 or less, thereby reducing bioaccumulation potential while maintaining water- and oil-repellent properties through optimized copolymer composition and crosslinking structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite polymer system combining perfluoroalkyl group-containing (meth)acrylate with NCO group-containing monomers and other (meth)acrylates, where the crosslinked network structure compensates for the reduced repellant performance that would normally result from using shorter perfluoroalkyl chains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If perfluoroalkyl groups with 6 or less carbon atoms are used to reduce bioaccumulation potential, then environmental safety is improved, but water- and oil-repellent performance becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebioaccumulation potentialVSAvoidwater- and oil-repellent properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines perfluoroalkyl group-containing (meth)acrylate with NCO group-containing monomers and other (meth)acrylates in specific proportions to create a composite polymer system where the crosslinked network structure enhances overall performance and compensates for the reduced repellant properties of shorter perfluoroalkyl chains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the local composition by controlling the content of perfluoroalkyl group-containing monomer at 1-50 mass% and NCO group-containing monomer at 1-50 mass%, creating regions with different functional properties that collectively achieve both environmental safety and sufficient performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If fluorine-containing copolymers with perfluoroalkyl groups are used as surface modifiers, then water- and oil-repellency is achieved, but adhesion to substrates becomes unsatisfactory

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater- and oil-repellencyVSAvoidadhesion to substrates
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite polymer system incorporating NCO group-containing monomers that form crosslinked networks, improving adhesion strength while maintaining water- and oil-repellent properties through the perfluoroalkyl groups

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The NCO group-containing monomers act as intermediaries that form crosslinking bridges between polymer chains and substrate surfaces, thereby improving adhesion without compromising the water- and oil-repellent functionality provided by the perfluoroalkyl groups

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If perfluoroalkyl group-containing (meth)acrylate with 8 or more carbon atoms is used, then water- and oil-repellent contribution is observed, but manufacturing and use will become restricted due to environmental concerns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater- and oil-repellent contributionVSAvoidmanufacturing and use restrictions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the carbon atom count parameter of the perfluoroalkyl group to 6 or less, which reduces bioaccumulation potential and avoids future manufacturing restrictions while maintaining sufficient water- and oil-repellent performance through optimized copolymer composition

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 copolymer provides excellent water- and oil-repellency with improved adhesion and processing durability, while its low bioaccumulation potential addresses environmental concerns, making it suitable for use as a surface-modifying agent.

Implementation Method 1

due to the use of a specific crosslinkable group-containing monomer, the crosslinkable group is crosslinked with the hydroxyl group on the substrate surface or self-crosslinked, thereby increasing the durability of the water- and oil-repellent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a fluorine-containing copolymer consisting of polymerization units based on (A) a polyfluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative... excellent water- and oil-repellency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobicity and oleophobicity: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3064517B1Fluorine-containing polymer, and surface modifier containing same as active ingredient
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 UNIMATEC CO LTD

AI summary

A fluorine-containing copolymer comprising a copolymer of (A) CnF2n+1(CH2CF2)a(CF2CF2)b(CH2CH2)cOCOCR=CH2 (R : H, a methyl group, n : 1-6, a : 1-4, b : 1-3, c : 1-3), (B) CH2=CRCOOR1 (R : H, a methyl group, R1 : C1-C30 alkyl group, or an aralkyl group; and (C) CH2=CRCOOR2NCO or CH2=CRCOOR2NHCOR3 (R : H, a methyl group, R2 : C1-C30 alkylene group, R3 : blocked group of an isocyanate group, and a surface-modifying agent containing the fluorine-containing copolymer as an active ingredient. The surface-modifying agent has excellent adhesion to substrates and improved processing durability.