Photocurable Composition for Liquid Crystal Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photocurable compositions using photobase generators face issues with high costs due to excessive photobase generator requirements, limited applicability for heat-sensitive members, and uncertain storage stability, particularly in the context of liquid crystal display devices.

Innovation Solution

A photocurable composition comprising an epoxy compound, an acrylic ester compound, an isocyanate compound, a photobase generator, and a compound with a thiol group, with specific mass ratios and structural characteristics, optimizing the reactivity and storage stability by adjusting the amounts of these components to reduce the photobase generator requirement and enhance curing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a photobase generator is used as a reaction initiator to avoid inhibition by oxygen and moisture, then the polymerization reaction can proceed without inhibition, but the cost increases due to excessive photobase generator requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymerization reaction reliabilityVSAvoidphotobase generator amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of the photobase generator from excessive amounts in conventional compositions to a controlled range of 0.1-5 mass%, and adjusts the mass ratio of epoxy compound to photobase generator to 100:0.1-5, thereby reducing the quantity of photobase generator while maintaining reliable polymerization reaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite photocurable composition by combining epoxy compound, acrylic ester compound, isocyanate compound, photobase generator, and compound with thiol group in specific ratios, where the synergistic interaction of multiple components enables effective curing with reduced photobase generator content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If a photobase generator is used to achieve curing at room temperature or low heating temperature, then heat-sensitive members can be processed, but storage stability becomes uncertain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecuring temperatureVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the mass ratio of epoxy compound to photobase generator within 100:0.1-5 and controls the content of compound with thiol group at 5-50 mass% based on total composition, which stabilizes the composition during storage while maintaining the ability to cure at room temperature or low heating temperature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a photobase generator that can be easily decomposed by light irradiation after serving its function of initiating polymerization, allowing the system to maintain stability during storage (when no light is present) and activate only when needed, effectively separating the storage state from the curing state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If the mass ratio of epoxy compound to photobase generator is optimized to reduce photobase generator content, then cost decreases and storage stability improves, but curing reactivity may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotobase generator contentVSAvoidcuring reactivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces compound with thiol group as an intermediary substance that mediates between the photobase generator and epoxy compound, enhancing the efficiency of the polymerization initiation process and enabling effective curing even with reduced photobase generator content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent formulates a composite system where acrylic ester compound and isocyanate compound work synergistically with the epoxy compound and photobase generator, creating multiple reaction pathways that maintain high curing reactivity despite lower photobase generator concentration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 excellent curing reactivity and high storage stability, suitable for liquid crystal display devices with improved optical properties and reduced photobase generator usage, enabling effective adhesion and delayed curability.

Implementation Method 1

a photobase generator, which is a base in which the polymerization reaction is not inhibited by oxygen or moisture, and the shrinkage of the cured product is small, and the reaction initiator does not cause problems such as corrosion or yellowing by irradiation with light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotolysis: Photodissociation

Implementation Method 2

a photocurable composition that cures the members from a liquid to a solid by irradiation with light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3878884B1Photocurable composition and liquid crystal display device
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3878884B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3878884B1 patent drawing

AI summary

There is provided a photocurable composition including Component (A): epoxy compound, Component (B): acrylic ester compound, Component (C): isocyanate compound, Component (D): photobase generator, and Component (E): compound having a thiol group, in which Component (A) has two or more epoxy groups in one molecule, Component (B) has two or more acryloyl groups in one molecule, Component (C) has two or more isocyanate groups in one molecule, and Component (E) has two or more thiol groups in one molecule, and a ratio of a total mass of Component (A), Component (B), Component (C), and Component (D) to a mass of Component (E) is (Component (A) + Component (B) + Component (C) + Component (D)): Component (E) = 74: 26 to 20: 80.