Optical Polymerizable Composition for Faster Defect-Free Curing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing optical materials require long production times, often several hours to several days, which are inefficient and can result in suboptimal quality due to incomplete polymerization or defects like striae.

Innovation Solution

A polymerizable composition for optical materials containing specific monomers, including episulfide compounds, and a higher concentration of polymerization catalysts, which accelerates the polymerization process, maintaining quality and reducing production time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the polymerization reaction is carried out over several hours to several tens of hours while the temperature is gradually increased by heating, then the quality of optical materials is improved, but the production time is excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of optical materialsVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymerization system by introducing a specific catalyst system (metal complex catalysts with ligands) and adjusting monomer composition ratios. This enables the polymerization reaction to proceed rapidly at lower temperatures (0-50°C) while maintaining high optical material quality, thus resolving the contradiction between production time and product quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional thermal heating method (gradual temperature increase over hours) with a chemical catalysis method. By using metal complex catalysts, the polymerization proceeds rapidly without requiring prolonged thermal treatment, substituting a time-intensive thermal process with a more efficient chemical catalytic process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If the polymerization reaction is carried out with a short heating polymerization time, then the production time is reduced, but the optical materials may not cure due to insufficient polymerization or defects such as striae may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymerization timeVSAvoidcuring completeness and quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces metal complex catalysts as intermediaries to facilitate the polymerization reaction. These catalysts (such as zinc, aluminum, or boron complexes with specific ligands) act as mediators that enable the polymerization to proceed rapidly and completely within a short time frame while avoiding defects like striae, thus ensuring both time efficiency and curing completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the reaction parameters by using catalysts that enable polymerization at lower temperatures (0-50°C) with rapid reaction rates. This parameter change allows sufficient polymerization to occur in a short time without the need for prolonged heating, preventing incomplete curing and quality defects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method allows for high-quality optical materials to be produced in a shorter time frame by promoting rapid polymerization and minimizing defects, improving efficiency and reducing equipment operation time.

Implementation Method 1

a polymerization catalyst, in which the content of the polymerization catalyst relative to the total amount of the monomers for optical material is from 0.1150 to 0.2000 parts by mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

at least one of the two or more different monomers for optical material is an episulfide compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP4101876B1Polymerizable composition for optical material, polymerizable prepolymer composition for optical material, cured object, and method for producing optical material
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 MITSUI CHEMICALS INC
  • EP4101876B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A polymerizable composition for optical material including two or more different monomers for optical material and a polymerization catalyst, in which the content of the polymerization catalyst relative to the total amount of the monomers for optical material is from 0.1150 to 0.2000 parts by mass, the viscosity of the polymerizable composition for optical material is from 10 mPa·s to 1000 mPa·s as measured with a B-type viscometer at 20°C and 60 rpm, and at least one of the two or more different monomers for optical material is an episulfide compound.