Hydrophilic Polymer Nanocoating for Stable Composite Membranes

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the coating process by using plasma polymerization instead of conventional solution or melt coating. This involves changing from thermal processing to plasma processing, using volatile precursors in vapor phase, and controlling deposition at low temperatures. These parameter changes enable retention of functional groups while achieving permanent hydrophilic surface properties.

The patent utilizes phase transitions of precursor materials from liquid or solid to vapor phase for deposition. The volatile precursors are vaporized and then polymerized in the plasma phase on the substrate surface. This phase transition approach enables uniform coating while preserving functional groups that would otherwise be degraded in conventional thermal processing.

The patent uses inexpensive volatile precursor compounds that can be readily vaporized and deposited. The precursors are consumed in the plasma reaction to form the coating, and simple, cost-effective precursor molecules are selected to minimize material costs while achieving the desired permanent hydrophilic surface properties.

The patent employs a vapor deposition process where precursors are delivered in vapor phase through controlled gas flow systems. This pneumatic delivery method enables uniform distribution of precursors across the substrate surface and facilitates precise control of deposition rates, making the process scalable and cost-effective for manufacturing.

The patent implements process monitoring and control systems that measure deposition rates and coating properties in real-time. By using feedback from process parameters such as plasma power, gas flow rates, and substrate temperature, the system automatically adjusts conditions to maintain consistent coating composition and uniformity across different production batches.

The patent selects precursor molecules that contain multiple functional groups or can generate multiple functional groups upon plasma decomposition. This multi-functionality approach ensures that regardless of minor variations in deposition conditions, the resulting coating consistently achieves the desired hydrophilic properties and functional group composition.