Photocurable Composition for High Refractive Index and Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photocurable compositions struggle to achieve both high refractive index and good release properties, particularly in optical components where precise pattern transfer is required, due to issues with adhesion to molds and limitations in refractive index of fluoromonomers.
Innovation Solution
A photocurable composition comprising compounds with specific refractive indices, fluorine-containing compounds, and a photopolymerization initiator, optimized in mass ratios and viscosity, along with a fluorinated surfactant, to achieve a cured product with a refractive index of at least 1.54 and improved release properties, allowing for precise pattern transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fluorinated monomer is used to achieve good release properties, then the release property is improved, but the refractive index decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite photocurable composition containing fluorinated monomer (2-15 mass%), non-fluorinated monomer (55-80 mass%), and oligomer (5-30 mass%). This composite approach allows the fluorinated component to provide release properties while the non-fluorinated components maintain high refractive index (≥1.54), resolving the contradiction between release property and refractive index
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration of fluorinated monomer to 2-15 mass% in the composition. This parameter control ensures sufficient fluorine content for good release properties (contact angle ≥75°) while preventing excessive fluorine content that would lower the refractive index below 1.54, thus resolving the contradiction through precise parameter management
2Ease of operation
If a release agent is applied to the mold surface to prevent adhesion, then the release property is improved, but the pattern transfer precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluorinated monomer in the photocurable composition acts as an intermediary that provides release properties without requiring a separate release agent on the mold. The fluorinated component migrates to the cured product surface, creating a release-friendly interface that prevents adhesion to the mold while maintaining fine pattern transfer precision, thus resolving the contradiction between release property and pattern transfer precision
3Ease of operation
If the fluorinated monomer content is increased to improve release properties, then the release property is improved, but the refractive index and mechanical strength decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the fluorinated monomer content to 2-15 mass% and oligomer content to 5-30 mass%. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient fluorine content for good release properties while maintaining adequate crosslinking density and mechanical strength in the cured product, resolving the contradiction between release property and mechanical strength
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 enables the production of molded products with high refractive index and excellent release properties, facilitating precise transfer of fine patterns onto surfaces, enhancing the efficiency and quality of optical components.
Implementation Method 1
the photocurable composition is irradiated with light to cure the photocurable composition thereby to form a fine pattern on the surface of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a photocurable composition whereby it is possible to obtain a cured product provided with both release property and high refractive index, and a process whereby it is possible to produce a molded product having a high refractive index and having on its surface a fine pattern having a reverse pattern of a mold precisely transferred. The photocurable composition comprising from 61 to 90 mass % of a compound (A) having a refractive index of at least 1.55 at a wavelength of 589 nm before curing and having at least two (meth)acryloyloxy groups, from 2 to 15 mass % of a compound (B) having fluorine atoms and at least one carbon-carbon unsaturated double bond (provided that compound (A) is excluded), from 5 to 35 mass % of a compound (C) having one (meth)acryloyloxy group (provided that compound (B) is excluded), and from 1 to 12 mass % of a photopolymerization initiator (D) (provided (A)+(B)+(C)+(D)=100 mass %).