Fluorine Nano Composite Particles for Water-Repellent Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface treatment agents for substrates using fluorine-containing compounds often require toxic isocyanate compounds and produce perfluorooctanoic acid when using perfluoroalkyl groups with 8 or more carbon atoms, posing environmental concerns and requiring regulated production environments.
Innovation Solution
Development of fluorine-containing nano composite particles produced through a condensation reaction between fluorine-containing alcohols with perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl groups and alkoxysilanes, using catalysts like alkaline or acidic catalysts, which do not produce perfluorooctanoic acid and exhibit excellent water- and oil-repellency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If perfluoroalkyl groups with 8 or more carbon atoms are used in fluorine-containing surface treatment agents, then excellent water- and oil-repellency is achieved, but perfluorooctanoic acid is produced causing environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the carbon atom parameter of the perfluoroalkyl group from 8 or more to 6 or less, specifically using C4F9- and C6F13- groups. This parameter change maintains the hydrophobic and oleophobic properties while eliminating the production of perfluorooctanoic acid, thus resolving the contradiction between performance and environmental harm.
2Ease of manufacture
If toxic isocyanate compounds are used to introduce silyl groups into fluorine compounds, then surface treatment functionality is achieved, but production environment regulation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic isocyanate compounds with benign catalysts such as trimethylsilyl chloride, tetraethyl orthosilicate, or simple acids/bases. These alternative reagents are less hazardous, easier to handle, and do not require special production environment regulations, while still achieving the desired silyl group introduction and surface treatment functionality.
3Reliability
If fluorine-containing alcohols with perfluoroalkyl groups are used, then water- and oil-repellent properties are achieved, but environmental pollution concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the fluorine-containing alcohol structure by changing the perfluoroalkyl group carbon chain length from 8 or more to 6 or less. Specifically, it uses 2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutanol (C4F9-) and 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8-hexadecafluoroheptanol (C6F13-). This structural parameter change maintains the repellant properties while eliminating environmental pollution concerns.
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 fluorine-containing nano composite particles demonstrate excellent water- and oil-repellency, heat resistance up to 800°C, and stable dispersion in polar solvents, while avoiding environmental pollution from perfluorooctanoic acid production.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the above fluorine-containing alcohol [I] and an alkoxysilane to a condensation reaction in the presence of an alkaline or acidic catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
Fluorine-containing nano composite particles comprising a condensate of a fluorine-containing alcohol represented by the general formula:RF-A-OH [I]wherein RF is a perfluoroalkyl group or a polyfluoroalkyl group in which some of the fluorine atoms of the perfluoroalkyl group are replaced by hydrogen atoms, and A is an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and an alkoxysilane, or fluorine-containing nano composite particles comprising a condensate of a fluorine-containing alcohol represented by the general formula:RF′-A-OH [Ia]or the general formula:HO-A-RF″-A-OH [Ib]wherein RF′ is a linear or branched perfluoroalkyl group containing an O, S, or N atom, RF″ is a linear or branched perfluoroalkylene group containing an O, S, or N atom, and A is an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and an alkoxysilane.