Fluoropolyether Surface Treatment for Touch Panel Fingerprint Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panel displays face challenges with fingerprint stains and require a coating that offers improved water/oil repellency and abrasion resistance, as prior solutions deteriorate in antifouling performance over time.
Innovation Solution
A fluoropolyether group-containing polymer with a hydrolyzable group and polyether group, represented by specific formulas, is used to form a surface treating agent that enhances substrate adhesion and provides improved water/oil repellency and eraser abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluoropolyether group-containing compounds are used to form water/oil repellent layers, then water/oil repellency and easy stain wipe-off are improved, but adhesion to substrate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite material comprising both fluoropolyether groups (for water/oil repellency) and silane coupling agents (for adhesion). The silane coupling agent contains both a hydrolyzable silyl group that bonds to the substrate and an organic functional group that provides water/oil repellency, creating a dual-function coating that resolves the adhesion versus repellency contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the coating by introducing hydrolyzable silyl groups that undergo self-condensation reaction to form chemical bonds with the substrate. This parameter change transforms the coating from a simple fluoropolyether layer (poor adhesion) to a crosslinked silane-fluoropolyether network (improved adhesion while maintaining repellency)
2Strength
If silane coupling agents are used to improve adhesion, then substrate bonding is improved, but water/oil repellency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent used in this invention is a composite molecule containing both hydrolyzable silyl groups (for adhesion) and organic functional groups with fluoropolyether chains (for water/oil repellency). This molecular-level composite allows simultaneous achievement of strong substrate bonding and durable water/oil repellency without the trade-off present in conventional separate coatings
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional water/oil repellent coatings are applied to touch panels, then fingerprint resistance is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the coating by forming a crosslinked network structure through silane self-condensation. This creates a tougher, more durable coating that maintains its water/oil repellent properties (fingerprint resistance) while significantly improving abrasion resistance compared to non-crosslinked conventional coatings
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-based surface treating agent effectively improves substrate adhesion and durability, maintaining water/oil repellency and abrasion resistance, addressing the limitations of previous coatings.
Implementation Method 1
In the presence of airborne moisture or the like, the hydrolyzable silyl groups undergo self-condensation reaction to form a coating. The hydrolyzable silyl groups form chemical and physical bonds with the surface of glass or metal
Implementation Method 2
the hydrolyzable silyl groups undergo self-condensation reaction
Implementation Method 3
fluoropolyether group-containing compounds exhibit, by virtue of their extremely low surface free energy, water/oil repellency
Data Source
AI summary
A surface treatment agent which comprises a fluoropolyether-group-containing polymer represented by the following formula (1) or (2)Rf1—[N(V)β(E)γ]α (1)Rf1-[Q-(G)δ-(E′)ε-B]α (2)and/or a product of partial (hydrolytic) condensation of the polymer. The surface treatment agent forms a cured coating film excellent in terms of water and oil repellency and resistance to abrasion with erasers.(In formulae (1) and (2), Rf1 is a mono- or divalent polymer residue containing a fluorooxyalkylene group; N is C, Si, N, or a tri- to octavalent group optionally substituted by F; V is a monovalent group containing a hydroxy group or hydrolyzable group at the terminal; E is a monovalent group containing an oxyalkylene group; α is 1 or 2; β and γ are each 1-6, and β+γ is 2-7; Q is a single bond or a divalent group; G is a divalent group containing a hydroxy group or hydrolyzable group; E′ is a divalent group containing an oxyalkylene group; B is H, an alkyl group, or a halogeno; δ is 0-10; and ε is 1-10.)