Fluoropolyether Coating With Hydrolyzable Silyl Groups for Durable Repellency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluoropolyether-containing polymers used in touch panel displays suffer from deteriorating anti-fouling performance, lacking in slipperiness, chemical resistance, and heat resistance, despite providing high water/oil repellency and easy stain wipe-off.
Innovation Solution
A fluorine-containing composition comprising fluoropolyether-containing polymers with silanol or hydrolyzable silyl groups, formulated in specific ratios, forms a cured film that enhances water/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, slipperiness, chemical resistance, and heat resistance by suppressing main chain decomposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluoropolyether-containing compounds are used for water/oil repellency, then water/oil repellency and chemical resistance are improved, but adhesion to substrate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system combining fluoropolyether-containing polymer (for water/oil repellency) with silane coupling agent (for adhesion). The silane coupling agent contains both organofunctional groups that bond to the fluoropolyether polymer and hydrolyzable silyl groups that form chemical bonds with the substrate surface, creating a composite coating that achieves both water/oil repellency and strong adhesion simultaneously.
2Reliability
If fluoropolyether-containing compounds are used for anti-fouling properties, then anti-fouling performance is improved, but durability during service deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite coating system where silane coupling agents provide durable chemical bonding to the substrate through hydrolyzable silyl groups that form siloxane bonds, while fluoropolyether-containing polymers provide the anti-fouling surface properties. This composite structure maintains anti-fouling performance throughout service by preventing polymer detachment.
3Strength
If silane coupling agents are used for adhesion, then adhesion strength is improved, but water/oil repellency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having different regions of the coating perform different functions: the silane coupling agent portion provides strong adhesion to the substrate through hydrolyzable silyl groups, while the fluoropolyether-containing polymer portion provides water/oil repellency. The organofunctional groups in the silane coupling agent ensure compatibility with the fluoropolyether polymer, creating a gradient structure that maintains both properties.
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 composition provides a treated surface with excellent water/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, slipperiness, chemical resistance, and heat resistance, maintaining durability against alkaline cleaning liquids and high temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
In the presence of airborne moisture or the like, the hydrolyzable silyl groups undergo self-condensation reaction to form a coating.
Implementation Method 2
The hydrolyzable silyl groups form chemical and physical bonds with the surface of glass or metal, whereby the coating becomes a tough coating having durability.
Data Source
AI summary
A surface treatment agent comprising a fluorine-containing composition which comprises (A) a polymer of formula (1) and/or a product of partial (hydrolytic) condensation thereof and (B) a polymer of formula (2) and/or a product of partial (hydrolytic) condensation thereof in a specific proportion. The surface treatment agent can form cured coating films excellent in terms of water and oil repellency and wear resistance and of slipperiness, chemical resistance, and heat resistance. Rf'OCF2CF2O-Rf-A (1) Rf'OCF2O-Rf-A (2) [Rf is a group of formula (3) (wherein W is an H-containing fluoroalkylene group, d is 1-6, and p, q, r, s, t, u, and v are each 0-450, the sum of p to v being 10-450), Rf' is a fluoroalkyl group, and A is a group of formula (4) (wherein B is a single bond or a divalent group, V is a tri- to octa-valent group, R' is H, OH, an alkyl group, a phenyl group, an oxyalkylene-containing group, an alkoxy group, or a halogen atom, U is a single bond or a divalent group, Z is a single bond or a tri- to octa-valent group, Y is a divalent group, R is an alkyl group or a phenyl group, X is OH or a hydrolyzable group, n is 1-3, m is 1-7, β is 1-6, γ is 0 or 1, and δ is 0-6.)]