Fluorochemical composition and use thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluorochemical compositions for rendering substrates oil- and water-repellent, such as paper, face challenges in solubility and dispersibility in glycol or glycol/water mixtures, and contain persistent pollutants like PFOA and PFOS, which are difficult to eliminate while maintaining application performance.

Innovation Solution

A fluorochemical composition is developed by reacting an isocyanate-reactive fluorochemical polyether with a polyfunctional isocyanate, incorporating cationic groups to enhance solubility and dispersibility in glycol or glycol/water mixtures, resulting in a PFOA/PFOS-free compound with improved oil- and water-repellent performance on paper.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If perfluorinated polyether compounds are used for rendering substrates oil- and water repellent, then the substrates gain repellent properties, but the compositions are not very effective and may contain harmful substances like PFOA and PFOS

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil- and water-repellent effectivenessVSAvoidPFOA and PFOS contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the fluorochemical compounds by using perfluorinated polyether compounds with specific molecular weight ranges (750-4000 g/mol) and controlled degrees of polymerization (m=3-25), while ensuring PFOA/PFOS-free composition through selective synthesis pathways that avoid these harmful substances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite fluorochemical compositions by combining perfluorinated polyether compounds with specific additives and solvents (glycol/water mixtures), forming a composite system that achieves both effectiveness and safety without PFOA/PFOS contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fluorochemical compositions are made PFOA/PFOS-free, then harmful pollutants are eliminated, but solubility and dispersibility in glycol or glycol/water mixtures become insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsence of PFOA and PFOSVSAvoidsolubility and dispersibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces glycol and glycol/water mixtures as intermediary solvents that bridge the compatibility gap between PFOA/PFOS-free fluorochemical compounds and the application system, enabling adequate solubility and dispersibility without requiring harmful substances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes molecular weight parameters and structural characteristics of the perfluorinated polyether compounds to achieve a balance between maintaining repellent effectiveness and improving solubility in glycol-based systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional fluorochemical compositions are applied on paper, then oil- and water-repellent properties are achieved, but the compositions cannot be solubilized or dispersed sufficiently in glycol or glycol/water mixtures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil- and water-repellent performanceVSAvoidsolubility in glycol or glycol/water mixtures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies key parameters including molecular weight (750-4000 g/mol), degree of polymerization (m=3-25), and chemical structure of the perfluorinated polyether compounds to simultaneously achieve adequate solubility in glycol/water mixtures and effective oil- and water-repellent performance on paper substrates

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 resulting fluorochemical composition is highly soluble and dispersible in glycol or glycol/water mixtures, providing excellent oil- and water-repellent properties on paper substrates without the use of dispersing agents and ensuring the absence of harmful pollutants like PFOA and PFOS.

Implementation Method 1

The present invention relates to fluorochemical compositions that can be obtained by reacting a polyisocyanate compound with at least one particular isocyanate reactive fluorinated polyether compound bearing at least one cationic group, and their use for rendering substrates like paper, textiles and leather oil repellent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS9551110B2Fluorochemical composition and use thereof

Publication Date: 2017.01.24 ARCHROMA IP GMBH

AI summary

The instant invention relates to the Fluorochemical composition comprising a dispersion or a solution of a fluorinated compound, wherein said fluorinated compound comprises the reaction product of at least two reactants A and B wherein reactant A being a compound of formula (I);Rf—O—(CF(CF3)CF2O)mCF(CF3)—X—Y—Z (I)withRf being a perfluorinated alkyl group,m being from 3 to 25;X being a carbonyl group or CH2;Y being a chemical bond or an organic divalent or trivalent linking group bearing a functional or difunctional isocyanate reactive group;Z being an organic group bearing at least one cationic group,reactant B being a polyfunctional isocyanate or a mixture thereofand optionally one or more isocyanate-reactive co-reactants C.