Fluorine-Free Block Copolymer Composition for Water and Oil Repellency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorine-free acrylic block copolymers lack significant improvement in liquid repellency, particularly water-repellency, due to the absence of fluorine atoms which are typically responsible for such properties in polymers.
Innovation Solution
A fluorine-free block copolymer is developed with a block segment formed from acrylic monomers having long-chain hydrocarbon groups of 7 to 40 carbon atoms, combined with a method of polymerization involving two stages to create a polymer with enhanced liquid repellency, and a surface treatment agent using this copolymer with a liquid medium for application on substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorine-containing compounds are used to achieve water- and oil-repellency, then liquid repellency is improved, but environmental concerns and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates fluorine atoms from the polymer structure while maintaining the liquid repellency function through alternative hydrocarbon group structures. The fluorine-containing monomers are replaced with fluorine-free acrylic monomers having long-chain hydrocarbon groups, thereby removing the harmful fluorine substance while preserving the desired water- and oil-repellent properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting fluorine atoms with hydrocarbon groups of specific chain lengths (7 to 40 carbon atoms). This parameter change in the monomer structure allows the polymer to achieve liquid repellency through hydrophobic interactions rather than fluorine-based mechanisms, thus eliminating environmental concerns associated with fluorine compounds.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fluorine-free acrylic block copolymers are used, then environmental safety is improved, but liquid repellency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating distinct block segments within the copolymer, where one block contains long-chain hydrocarbon groups specifically designed for liquid repellency, while other blocks provide complementary properties. This localized functional distribution within the block structure enables the fluorine-free copolymer to achieve sufficient water- and oil-repellent performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material principles by creating a block copolymer that combines different acrylic monomer units with specific properties. The copolymer integrates monomers with long-chain hydrocarbon groups (for repellency) with other acrylic monomers, forming a composite structure at the molecular level that achieves both environmental safety and effective liquid repellency.
3Ease of manufacture
If random copolymers are used instead of block copolymers, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but film-forming properties and liquid repellency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies segmentation by dividing the copolymer into distinct block segments rather than using a random distribution of monomers. The block structure separates monomers with long-chain hydrocarbon groups into concentrated segments, which enhances film-forming properties and liquid repellency. This segmented architecture allows the functional groups to organize more effectively in the film structure compared to random copolymers.
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 resulting block copolymer exhibits excellent water-repellency and oil-repellency, with high crystallinity and a melting point of 25° C or more, outperforming random copolymers formed from the same monomers, and demonstrates improved film-forming properties.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorine-free block copolymer comprising (A) at least one block segment, wherein the block segment (A) has a repeating unit formed from an acrylic monomer having a long-chain hydrocarbon group having 7 to 40 carbon atoms
Implementation Method 2
The resulting block copolymer exhibits excellent water-repellency and oil-repellency, with high crystallinity and a melting point of 25° C. or more
Data Source
AI summary
A surface treatment agent which is a water-repellent agent, includes (1) a fluorine-free block copolymer, and (2) a liquid medium which is an organic solvent, water, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent. The non-fluorinated block copolymer includes at least one block segment (A) which includes a repeating unit formed from one or more types of acrylic monomer having a long-chain hydrocarbon group containing 12-40 carbon atoms. The non-fluorinated block copolymer preferably contains a segment (B) constituted by at least one of: (B1) a block segment including a repeating unit, different from that of segment (A), that is formed from an acrylic monomer having a long-chain hydrocarbon group including 12-40 carbon atoms; (B2) a block segment including a repeating unit formed from an acrylic monomer not having a long-chain hydrocarbon group; and (B3) a random segment formed from at least two types of acrylic monomers.