Photocurable Acrylate Adhesion to Reverse Osmosis Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a photocurable (meth)acrylate composition that can form features on membrane surfaces with good adhesion, which maintains its adhesion, mass, and mechanical strength during subsequent use and maintenance, especially in aqueous environments with varying pH levels.
Innovation Solution
A photocurable composition comprising a (meth)acrylate-functionalized urethane component with isocyanate functionality, a (meth)acrylate monomer, and a photoinitiator, optionally including an isocyanate-functionalized adhesion promoter. This composition forms a cured reaction product on polyamide surfaces of reverse osmosis membranes, demonstrating substrate failure under acidic, basic, and neutral aqueous conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional adhesives (polyurethane or epoxy) are used for membrane bonding, then bonding strength is achieved, but the composition requires mixing and application before gel time, which is not desirable for some applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mixing and timing-based application process with a photopolymerization system that cures upon UV light exposure. The composition includes photopolymerizable functional groups and photoinitiators that trigger curing when exposed to light, eliminating the need for mixing and gel time management while maintaining reliable bonding to RO membranes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the curing mechanism from chemical mixing-based (polyurethane/e Epoxy) to light-triggered polymerization. By incorporating photopolymerizable groups and photoinitiators, the composition transitions from a time-sensitive mixing process to a light-activated curing process, improving ease of application while maintaining bonding reliability
2Strength
If light cure acrylates containing polybutadiene are used for membrane fold protection, then fold protection is achieved, but bonding to membranes was not reported and adhesion is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adhesion promoter as an intermediary component that facilitates bonding between the photopolymerizable adhesive and the RO membrane. The adhesion promoter contains functional groups that specifically interact with polyamide membrane surfaces, creating a strong chemical bond while the photopolymerizable components provide fold protection and mechanical integrity
3Stability of the object's composition
If polyether urethane acrylate resins are used, then hydrolytically stability is achieved, but bonding to RO membranes is challenging in alkaline solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining polyether urethane acrylate (providing hydrolytic stability) with adhesion promoters containing isocyanate or silane functional groups (providing alkaline solution bonding capability). This composite formulation allows the adhesive to maintain both hydrolytic stability and strong bonding in alkaline environments by leveraging the complementary properties of each component
4Strength
If adhesion promoters are used to improve adhesion to substrates, then initial adhesion is enhanced, but adhesion degradation occurs during use and maintenance in aqueous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the adhesion promoter molecules by incorporating photopolymerizable functional groups that form crosslinked networks upon UV curing. This crosslinking creates a durable three-dimensional structure that resists degradation in aqueous environments during membrane use and maintenance, extending the duration of adhesion strength while maintaining initial bonding 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 composition achieves strong adhesion to polyamide surfaces of reverse osmosis membranes, maintaining integrity even after immersion in acidic, basic, and neutral aqueous solutions for an extended period, ensuring the mechanical strength and mass of the cured features.
Implementation Method 1
a photocurable composition comprising: a) a (meth)acrylate-functionalized urethane component; b) a (meth)acrylate monomer; and c) a photoinitiator... when deposited on a polyamide surface of a substrate and exposed to UV or visible light the curable composition forms a cured reaction product
Data Source
AI summary
Photocurable (meth)acrylate compositions for forming features on the surfaces of membranes, and particularly, on membranes used in osmosis and reverse-osmosis applications, such as membrane filters.