Organosilicone Surface Modifier for Optical Stain Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stain-resistant coatings for optical members and surfaces have insufficient stain resistance and durability, making it difficult to remove fingerprints, skin oil, sweat, and cosmetics, and their effectiveness decreases over time.

Innovation Solution

A surface modifier comprising an organosilicone compound with a specific formula, produced through a hydrosilylation reaction, forms a low-surface-tension layer that prevents dirt and moisture adhesion and allows easy removal, maintaining durability and optical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional stain-resistant coatings are applied to optical members, then some level of stain resistance is achieved, but the stain resistance is insufficient and durability is poor, making stains difficult to remove and effectiveness decreases over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestain resistanceVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite organosilicone compound containing both fluorine atoms (for low surface tension and stain resistance) and silicon atoms (for durability and adhesion). This composite molecular structure combines the advantages of fluorocarbon compounds (stain resistance) and silane compounds (durability and bonding), creating a coating that maintains excellent stain resistance over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters of the coating by incorporating specific ratios of fluorine-containing groups and silicon-containing groups. By adjusting the molecular structure parameters (adding hydrolyzable groups like alkoxy or chloro groups), the coating achieves optimal balance between stain resistance and durability, enabling long-lasting effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a low surface tension coating is formed to prevent dirt adhesion, then stain resistance improves, but the coating must maintain optical properties and durability simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt adhesion preventionVSAvoidoptical performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The organosilicone compound provides local quality differentiation: the fluorine-containing portions orient toward the air interface to create low surface tension and prevent dirt adhesion, while the silicon-containing portions with hydrolyzable groups bond to the substrate and provide durability. This spatial arrangement of different functional groups within the same molecular structure allows simultaneous achievement of stain resistance and optical clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The silicon atoms in the organosilicone compound act as intermediaries between the fluorine-containing stain-resistant portion and the substrate. The silicon forms strong covalent bonds with the substrate while the fluorine atoms extend outward to provide low surface tension, mediating between the substrate requirements and the stain resistance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 treated surface exhibits a water contact angle of at least 110° and a sliding angle of no more than 5°, effectively preventing stain adhesion and allowing easy wiping, while maintaining high durability and optical performance.

Implementation Method 1

producing the organosilicone compound (A) by conducting a hydrosilylation reaction, in the presence of a transition metal, of a compound (C) with trichlorosilane or trialkoxsilane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrosilylation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

forms a low-surface-tension layer that prevents dirt and moisture adhesion and allows easy removal, maintaining durability and optical properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

The treated surface exhibits a water contact angle of at least 110° and a sliding angle of no more than 5°, effectively preventing stain adhesion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP1871780B1Surface modifier
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 DOW SILICONES CORP
  • EP1871780B1 patent drawing
  • EP1871780B1 patent drawing
  • EP1871780B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A surface modifier comprising an organosilicone compound represented by General Formula (A) and/or General Formula(B): F-(CF2)q-(OC3F6)m-(OC2F4)n-(OCF2)o(CH2)pX(CH2)r Si(X')3-a(R1)a (A) and F-(CF2)q-(OC3F6)m-(OC2F4)n-(OCF2)o(CH2)pX(CH2)r (X')2-a(R1)aSiO(F-(CF2)q-(OC3F6)m-(OC2F4)n-(OCF2)o(CH2)pX(CH2)r (X')1-a(R1)aSiO)zF-(CF2)q-(OC3F6)m-(OC2F4)n-(OCF2)o(CH2)pX(CH2)r (X')2-a(R1)aSi (B) wherein q is an integer from 1 to 3; m, n, and o are independently integers from 0 to 200; p is 1 or 2; X is O or a bivalent organic group; r is an integer from 2 to 20; R1 is a C1-22 linear or branched hydrocarbon group; a is an integer from 0 to 2; X' is hydrolysable group; and z is an integer from 0 to 10 when a is 0 or 1.