(Per)fluoropolyether Polymer Coatings for Antimicrobial Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial coatings for various substrates, including paper and electronic devices, lack effective antimicrobial properties against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, particularly in the context of emerging threats like COVID-19, and do not simultaneously provide transparency and water/oil repellency.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel (per)fluoropolyether polymers with specific functional groups, such as quaternary ammonium salt, alkoxysilane, and cross-linkable moieties, which are incorporated into coatings to provide antimicrobial properties while maintaining transparency and water/oil repellency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional antimicrobial coatings are applied to substrates, then some antimicrobial effect is achieved, but they fail to provide effective protection against multiple microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite coatings that integrate multiple functional components: (per)fluoropolyether polymers provide the base coating matrix, while quaternary ammonium salts deliver cationic antimicrobial activity. This composite structure enables simultaneous effectiveness against bacteria, viruses, and fungi by combining the protective barrier function of the fluoropolymer with the broad-spectrum biocidal properties of the quaternary ammonium compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating composition is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the (per)fluoropolyether backbone provides water and oil repellency, the quaternary ammonium groups provide antimicrobial activity against diverse microorganisms, and the overall composition maintains substrate transparency. This multi-functionality addresses the need for broad-spectrum protection without sacrificing other desired properties.
2Reliability
If antimicrobial coatings are applied to substrates, then some microbial protection is achieved, but transparency of the substrate is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the unique optical properties of (per)fluoropolyether polymers, which exhibit high transparency in the visible spectrum. By selecting this specific polymer class and controlling its molecular weight and composition parameters, the coating maintains excellent substrate transparency while incorporating sufficient quaternary ammonium functional groups to provide reliable antimicrobial protection. The refractive index matching between the fluoropolymer and common substrates further enhances transparency.
3Reliability
If antimicrobial coatings are applied to substrates, then microbial resistance is reduced, but water and oil repellency properties are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two distinct functional systems into a single integrated coating: the (per)fluoropolyether polymer provides hydrophobic and oleophobic properties through its fluorinated backbone structure, while quaternary ammonium salts provide antimicrobial activity. The synergistic combination ensures that neither function compromises the other, as the fluoropolymer matrix maintains surface energy characteristics for repellency while the embedded quaternary ammonium groups deliver sustained antimicrobial protection.
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 polymers effectively impart antimicrobial properties to substrates, offering a dual benefit of protection against microorganisms and maintaining desired surface characteristics like transparency and repellency.
Implementation Method 1
said properties being provided by specific functional group(s) bonded to the (per)fluoropolyether backbone... polymers endowed with antimicrobial properties
Implementation Method 2
providing the properties of coatings, such as notably transparency together with water- and oil-repellency
Implementation Method 3
alkoxysilane, and cross-linkable moieties, which are incorporated into coatings
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to compositions comprising novel (per)fluoropolyether polymers, endowed with antimicrobial properties, to methods for the manufacture thereof and to their use to provide compositions having antimicrobial properties.