Fluorine Copolymer with Polysiloxane for Low Bioaccumulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluorine-containing copolymers with perfluoroalkyl groups having 6 or less carbon atoms face challenges in achieving excellent water- and oil-repellency, water resistance, and affinity for pigments due to low bioaccumulation potential and environmental concerns, while those with more carbon atoms have durability and performance issues.

Innovation Solution

A fluorine-containing copolymer comprising a polyfluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative and a polysiloxane with a terminal (meth)acryloyloxy group, which undergoes HF-elimination and ozone decomposition, reducing bioaccumulation potential and producing a compound with excellent water- and oil-repellent performance and improved pigment affinity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compounds containing perfluoroalkyl group having 8 or more carbon atoms are used, then water- and oil-repellent performance is improved, but bioaccumulation potential increases and environmental harm occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater- and oil-repellent performanceVSAvoidbioaccumulation potential and environmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

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

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite copolymer structure combining polyfluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative with perfluoroalkyl group (6 or less carbon atoms) and other acrylic acid derivatives, achieving synergistic effects that maintain repellent performance while reducing environmental harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If compounds containing perfluoroalkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms are used, then bioaccumulation potential is reduced, but water- and oil-repellent performance and durability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebioaccumulation potentialVSAvoidwater- and oil-repellent performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent synthesizes a copolymer combining polyfluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative with perfluoroalkyl group (6 or less carbon atoms) and other acrylic acid derivatives, creating a composite structure that compensates for the lower performance of short-chain perfluoroalkyl groups through synergistic interactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the local composition and structure of the copolymer, controlling the distribution and arrangement of different monomer units to enhance water- and oil-repellent performance and durability while maintaining low bioaccumulation potential

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If perfluoroalkyl groups with 8 or more carbon atoms are used, then film formation is improved, but film cracking occurs under room temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilm formationVSAvoidfilm stability at room temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the softening point parameter by using perfluoroalkyl groups with 6 or less carbon atoms and optimizing copolymer composition, thereby preventing film cracking at room temperature while maintaining adequate film formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the local flexibility and composition of the copolymer chains, creating a structure that maintains film integrity and prevents cracking under room temperature conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves effective water- and oil-repellency, improved water resistance, and enhanced pigment affinity, while avoiding the production of environmentally harmful substances and maintaining low bioaccumulation potential.

Implementation Method 1

the polyfluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative [I], which is a monomer of the fluorine-containing copolymer, undergoes HF-elimination in the -CH 2 CF 2 - bonding site of the molecule, and a double bond is formed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHF-elimination: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The result is then subjected to ozone decomposition, to have a structure that is easily decomposed into a compound with low environmental concentration and low bioaccumulation potential

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOzone decomposition: Ozone

Data Source

PatentEP2617745B1Fluorine-containing copolymer

Publication Date: 2016.11.02 UNIMATEC CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a fluorine-containing copolymer comprising a copolymer of a polyfluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1(CH2CF2)a(CF2CF2)b(CH2CH2)cOCOCR=CH2 [I] (R: a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, n: an integer of 1 to 6, a: an integer of 1 to 4, b: an integer of 1 to 3, c: an integer of 1 to 3) and a polysiloxane containing a terminal (meth)acryloyloxy group represented by the general formula: (R1: a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2: a C1-C6 linear or branched divalent alkylene group, R3: a C1-C30 linear or branched alkyl group, R4 and R5: a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or a phenyl group, m: an integer of 1 to 200).