Fluoropolyether Polymer Coating for Lens Adhesion and Abrasion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluoropolyether-containing polymers struggle with poor substrate adhesion, leading to issues with chucking and abrasion resistance when forming cured films on substrates like lenses.
Innovation Solution
A fluoropolyether-containing polymer with silanol or hydrolyzable silyl groups at both ends, linked by a siloxane structure, which enhances adhesion and improves water/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, and chucking properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluoropolyether-containing compounds are used to provide water/oil repellency and chemical resistance, then these properties are improved, but substrate adhesion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer chain is designed with differentiated functional groups at different locations: the fluoropolyether group at one end provides water/oil repellency, while the silanol or hydrolyzable silyl group at the other end provides substrate adhesion. This local differentiation allows each end of the molecule to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between repellency and adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining fluoropolyether groups (for repellency) with silane groups (for adhesion) within a single polymer chain. This molecular-level composite structure integrates the beneficial properties of both functional groups, allowing the coating to simultaneously achieve water/oil repellency and strong substrate adhesion.
2Strength
If fluoropolyether-containing polymer with hydrolyzable silyl groups is used to improve substrate adhesion, then adhesion is improved, but chucking properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the molecular weight of the fluoropolyether group within a specific range (6,000 to 30,000) to balance adhesion and chucking properties. By controlling this critical parameter, the polymer achieves sufficient substrate adhesion through hydrolyzable silyl groups while maintaining appropriate viscosity and handling characteristics for good chucking properties during processing.
3Strength
If fluoropolyether-containing polymer with silyl groups is used to improve adhesion, then adhesion is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention controls the molecular weight of the fluoropolyether group within a specific range (6,000 to 30,000) to optimize the balance between adhesion and abrasion resistance. This parameter control ensures that the polymer forms a coating with sufficient internal strength and cohesion, where the silane crosslinked network provides both strong substrate bonding and adequate film durability against abrasion.
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 polymer provides improved substrate adhesion, leading to enhanced water/oil repellency, abrasion resistance, and chucking properties, particularly on lens substrates.
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 substrates
Implementation Method 3
The hydrolyzable silyl groups form chemical and physical bonds with the surface of substrates
Data Source
AI summary
A surface treatment agent according to the present invention comprises a fluoropolyether group-containing polymer, which is a high molecular polymer having a number-average molecular weight of a fluorooxyalkylene group-containing polymer residue in the main chain of 6,000-30,000, has a silanol group or a hydrolyzable silyl group at both ends of the molecular chain, and has a siloxane structure in a linking group of the fluorooxyalkylene group-containing polymer residue in the main chain and the silanol group or the hydrolyzable silyl group at both ends of the molecular chain, and/or a partial (hydrolyzed) condensate thereof. The surface treatment agent can form a cured coating film having excellent water-repellency and oil-repellency, abrasion resistance, and chucking properties.