Nanostructured Article With Fluorinated Layer For Optical Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional nanostructured polymeric films often sacrifice optical properties such as transparency and haze to achieve high omniphobicity, and existing solutions fail to provide both high hydrophobicity and optical clarity simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A nanostructured article featuring a substrate with covalently crosslinked polyurethane nanostructures and a covalently crosslinked fluorinated polymeric layer that enhances durability and omniphobicity while maintaining high optical transmittance and low haze.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional nanostructured polymeric films are used to achieve high omniphobicity, then hydrophobicity and omniphobicity are improved, but optical properties such as transparency and haze are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a nanostructured surface only on the outer surface of the protective film while keeping the bulk material optically clear. The nanostructures are localized to the top surface layer, providing omniphobicity where needed (at the interface with water/ice) while the underlying bulk material maintains high optical transmittance. This resolves the contradiction by confining the nanostructuring effect to a thin surface layer rather than throughout the entire film thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining a polymeric protective film with surface-mounted nanostructures (such as nanowires, nanofibers, or nanopillars). The composite structure integrates an optically transparent polymer matrix with nanostructured elements that provide omniphobicity. The polymer matrix maintains optical clarity while the nanostructured surface layer provides the desired water and ice repellent properties, thus achieving both high omniphobicity and good optical transmission.
2Reliability
If traditional nanostructured polymeric films are used to achieve high omniphobicity, then hydrophobicity and omniphobicity are improved, but haze is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The nanostructured surface is localized to a thin outer layer, providing omniphobicity at the surface interface while minimizing light scattering throughout the bulk material. The localized nanostructuring reduces the overall path length for light interaction with nanostructures, thereby reducing haze while maintaining surface-level omniphobic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film structures for the nanostructured layer, ensuring that the nanostructured elements are confined to a thin surface layer. This thin film approach allows light to pass through with minimal scattering (reducing haze) while still providing effective omniphobicity at the surface. The thin film configuration balances optical clarity with surface functionality.
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 solution provides a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surface with improved mechanical and optical performance, including high optical transmittance and low haze, effectively protecting surfaces from water or ice buildup and maintaining clarity and transparency.
Implementation Method 1
a covalently crosslinked fluorinated polymeric layer disposed on the plurality of first nanostructures... The polymeric layer at least partially fills spaces between the first nanostructures... defining a nanostructured surface... having an advancing water contact angle of at least 150 degrees
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of first nanostructures includes covalently crosslinked polyurethane having a crosslink concentration in a range from 0.3 to 1.05 mol/kg
Implementation Method 3
The nanostructured article preferably has an average optical transmittance of at least 90% and an optical haze of less than 5%
Implementation Method 4
a covalently crosslinked fluorinated polymeric layer... enhancing durability and omniphobicity... having an advancing hexadecane contact angle of at least 90 degrees
Data Source
AI summary
A nanostructured article includes a substrate; a plurality of first nanostructures disposed on, and extending away from, the substrate; and a covalently crosslinked fluorinated polymeric layer disposed on the plurality of first nanostructures. The plurality of first nanostructures includes polyurethane. The polymeric layer at least partially fills spaces between the first nanostructures to an average minimum height above the substrate of at least 30 nm such that the polymeric layer has a nanostructured surface defined by, and facing away from, the plurality of first nanostructures.