Ionic Liquid-Based Coating With Adhesive Interlayer for Uniform Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ionic liquids have high viscosities and low surface wetting abilities, making it difficult to prepare uniform and stable coatings on porous or nonporous substrates, limiting their application in surface coatings for antimicrobial and filtration purposes.

Innovation Solution

An ionic liquid-based coating comprising at least one ionic liquid, a viscosity modifier, and an additive such as a disinfectant, pH buffer, or fragrance, applied with an adhesive interlayer, to enhance stability and uniformity on substrates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ionic liquids are used for surface coatings, then antimicrobial properties and filtration efficiency are improved, but high viscosity and low surface wetting ability make uniform and stable coating preparation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantimicrobial propertiesVSAvoidcoating preparation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adhesive interlayer as an intermediary substance between the substrate and ionic liquid coating. This adhesive layer facilitates uniform distribution and stable adhesion of the ionic liquid, overcoming the inherent high viscosity and low surface wetting ability issues while maintaining the antimicrobial properties of the ionic liquid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite coating system consisting of multiple components: adhesive interlayer, ionic liquid, and optional additives. This composite structure combines the adhesion benefits of the adhesive layer with the antimicrobial properties of the ionic liquid, enabling uniform and stable coating formation that maintains functional performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If ionic liquids are applied to porous substrates to enhance filtration efficiency, then particulate matter filtration is improved, but flow resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the ionic liquid coating locally on the surface of porous substrates rather than throughout the entire structure. This surface-level application enhances filtration efficiency for particulate matter while minimizing the impact on overall flow resistance, as the coating does not block the porous substrate's internal flow pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent forms a thin film coating of ionic liquid on the porous substrate surface. This thin film structure provides sufficient filtration enhancement through antimicrobial and particulate capture properties while maintaining adequate flow resistance characteristics, as the film is sufficiently thin to not obstruct the porous substrate's flow pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 coating achieves antimicrobial properties and enhanced filtration efficiency without increasing flow resistance, with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and improved filtration performance.

Implementation Method 1

The viscosity modifier additive includes water, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, and combinations thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosity modification:

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive interlayer, to enhance stability and uniformity on substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

Most ionic liquids have intrinsic antimicrobial properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Implementation Method 4

their excellent solvent properties allow them to absorb and dissolve other disinfectants or air pollutants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 5

a porous substrate coated with the ionic liquid-based coating may be used to disinfect and remove microorganisms from air and water, or to enhance filtration efficiency of the porous material for airborne and waterborne particulate matter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3739006B1Ionic liquid-based coating and method of making articles coated with the same
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 THE HONG KONG UNIV OF SCI & TECH
  • EP3739006B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3739006B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3739006B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

The ionic liquid-based coating is a coating for both porous and nonporous materials. As non-limiting examples, a porous substrate coated with the ionic liquid-based coating may be used to disinfect and remove microorganisms from air and water, to provide an antimicrobial surface for preventing microbial contamination, or to enhance filtration efficiency of the porous material for airborne and waterborne particulate matter without increasing flow resistance. As a further non-limiting example, a nonporous substrate coated with the ionic liquid-based coating may be used to form a surface capable of self-disinfection from microorganisms contacting surface. The ionic liquid-based coating includes at least one ionic liquid, an adhesive, and at least one additive, which may be a disinfectant, a viscosity modifier, a pH buffer, a fragrance, or combinations thereof.