Perfluoropolyether Coating with Nonfluorinated Solvent Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorooxyalkylene group-containing compounds have poor solubility in non-fluorine-based organic solvents and poor adhesion to substrates, making it difficult to form durable, water/oil-repellent coatings without using fluorine-containing solvents, which are environmentally harmful.
Innovation Solution
A coating agent composition containing a perfluoropolyether compound with a specific structure, using a non-fluorine-based solvent and a low content of nonfunctional perfluoropolyether compound, allowing rapid curing and firm attachment to substrates to form a coating film with excellent water/oil-repellent properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorooxyalkylene group-containing compounds are used to provide water/oil-repellent properties and anti-fouling performance, then surface free energy is reduced and repellent properties are improved, but solubility in non-fluorine-based organic solvents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the fluorooxyalkylene group-containing compound by introducing specific structural features (formula (1) with defined R groups, M groups, and molecular weight ranges) that enhance solubility in non-fluorine-based organic solvents while preserving the low surface free energy property. This structural parameter optimization allows the compound to be dissolved in environmentally friendly solvents without sacrificing water/oil-repellent performance.
2Reliability
If fluorooxyalkylene group-containing compounds are used to provide anti-fouling properties, then surface free energy is reduced and anti-fouling performance is improved, but adhesion to substrates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dual-function coating system where the fluorooxyalkylene group-containing compound provides anti-fouling properties at the outer surface, while a separate polymerizable compound forms an adhesive base layer that bonds to the substrate. This spatial separation of functions allows the fluorinated compound to maintain low surface free energy for anti-fouling performance while the polymerizable compound ensures strong adhesion to the substrate through covalent bonding.
3Ease of manufacture
If fluorine-containing solvents are used to dissolve fluorooxyalkylene group-containing compounds, then solubility is improved, but environmental harm and health concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluorine atoms from the solvent component while retaining fluorine in the active coating compound. By designing the fluorooxyalkylene group-containing compound with specific structural features that enable solubility in non-fluorinated organic solvents, the invention eliminates fluorine-containing solvents from the formulation, thereby removing the environmental and health hazards associated with fluorinated solvents while maintaining the necessary solubility and coating performance.
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 agent composition forms a durable film with excellent water/oil-repellent properties and lubricity without using fluorine-containing solvents, addressing environmental concerns and adhesion issues.
Implementation Method 1
The alkoxysilyl group undergoes a self-condensation reaction under moisture in the air or the like.
Implementation Method 2
the alkoxysilyl group is chemically and physically bonded to a surface of glass, metal or the like to obtain a robust film having durability
Implementation Method 3
fluorooxyalkylene group-containing compounds are known to have a water/oil-repellent property, chemical resistance, lubricity, mold releasability, an anti-fouling property and the like because of its very small surface free energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention enables the achievement of a coating agent composition which contains a perfluoropolyether compound (A) of a specific structure, and dissolves into at least one volatile organic solvent that does not contain a fluorine atom without using a fluorine-containing solvent having a boiling point of 260°C or less at atmospheric pressure by setting the content ratio of a non-functional perfluoropolyether compound (B) relative to a total of 100% by mole of the component (A) and the component (B) to less than 2.5% by mole, while forming a cured coating film by being rapidly cured on a base material, said cured coating film firmly adhering to the base material and exhibiting excellent water repellent oil repellent properties, sliding properties, mold releasability and the like.