Perfluoropolyether Hardcoat Reduces Lint Attraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incorporating fluorinated additives in hardcoats reduces surface energy, making surfaces ink-repellent and easy to clean, but increases lint attraction, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A hardcoat composition comprising a perfluoropolyether polymer with ethylenically unsaturated groups and a non-fluorinated binder precursor, which reduces lint attraction while maintaining low surface energy, is developed. This composition includes a reaction product of perfluoropolyether monomers, poly(alkylene oxide) monomers, and optionally other ethylenically unsaturated monomers, providing a durable and ink-repellent surface layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fluorinated additives are incorporated into hardcoat composition, then surface energy is reduced rendering the surface ink repellent and easy to clean, but lint attraction is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the fluorinated component by using perfluoropolyether polymers with specific molecular weights (600-5000 g/mole) and specific repeat unit compositions. This parameter optimization allows achieving low surface energy (ink repellency) while minimizing lint attraction compared to conventional fluorinated additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite hardcoat system combining perfluoropolyether polymer chains with specific poly(alkylene oxide) repeat units and ethylenically unsaturated end groups. This composite structure integrates the low surface energy properties of fluorinated materials with modified molecular architecture that reduces lint attraction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fluorinated additives are incorporated into hardcoat composition, then ink repellency is improved, but surface durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter of the perfluoropolyether polymer (600-5000 g/mole) and the composition of repeat units to balance surface properties. This parameter control ensures sufficient chain length for durability while maintaining low surface energy for ink repellency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ethylenically unsaturated end groups on the perfluoropolyether chains, creating local reactive sites that can participate in crosslinking. This local modification enhances surface durability and crosslink density without compromising the overall low surface energy property of the fluorinated chains.
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 resulting surface layer exhibits low lint attraction and retains ink repellency and durability, with surface energy characterized by high contact angles and resistance to soiling, making it easy to clean and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
the inclusion of a fluorinated additive in a hardcoat composition advantageously reduces the surface energy rendering the surface ink repellent and/or easy to clean
Implementation Method 2
at least one perfluoropolyether polymer comprising the reaction product of: i) at least one perfluoropolyether monomer comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group
Implementation Method 3
the reaction product of A) at least one perfluoropolyether polymer comprising the reaction product of: i) at least one perfluoropolyether monomer comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group; ii) at least one poly(alkylene oxide) monomer comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group
Data Source
AI summary
Presently described are articles, such as optical displays and protective films, comprising a (e.g. light transmissive) substrate having a surface layer comprising the reaction product of a mixture comprising a non-fluorinated binder precursor (e.g. of a hardcoat composition) and at least one polymerizable perfluoropolyether polymer. The resulting cured surface layer can advantageously exhibit low lint attraction in combination with low surface energy. Also described are one-step and two-step methods of synthesizing perfluoropolyether polymers having polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups.