Photodefinable Polymer with Pendent Antioxidant Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
The microelectronic and optoelectronic industries face challenges with the thermal volatility of additive anti-oxidant compounds and the need for materials and methods that can meet the increasing complexity and performance requirements of future devices, while also reducing costs and improving yield.
Innovation Solution
The development of photodefinable polymers incorporating norbornene-type repeat units with pendent crosslinkable groups and hindered functional aromatic pendent groups, which provide thermo-oxidative stability by chemically bonding anti-oxidant properties directly to the polymer backbone, eliminating the issue of volatilization and enhancing thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additive anti-oxidant compounds are used in polymer compositions, then antioxidant protection is provided, but thermal volatility causes loss of protective function at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antioxidant function with the polymer backbone by incorporating hindered functional aromatic pendent groups directly into the polymer structure. This merging eliminates the separate antioxidant additive and prevents volatilization loss, as the antioxidant functionality is now an integral part of the polymer chain rather than a removable additive.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer structure provides its own antioxidant protection through the hindered functional aromatic pendent groups embedded in the backbone. The polymer serves itself by having built-in antioxidant capabilities that prevent oxidation without requiring external additives, thereby eliminating the volatility issue associated with separate antioxidant compounds.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional polymer materials are used, then current device manufacturing is supported, but they cannot meet the increasing complexity and performance requirements of future devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite polymer structure that combines norbornene-type repeat units with pendent crosslinkable groups and hindered functional aromatic pendent groups. This composite architecture provides both the versatility needed for future device complexity and the thermal-oxidative stability required for reliability, overcoming the limitations of conventional single-function polymer materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific functional groups at localized positions along the polymer backbone. The hindered functional aromatic pendent groups are positioned to provide targeted antioxidant protection, while the pendent crosslinkable groups are strategically placed to enable crosslinking for enhanced mechanical and thermal properties, allowing the polymer to meet future performance requirements while maintaining stability.
3Reliability
If external antioxidant additives are used, then oxidation protection is achieved, but additional components increase formulation complexity and potential volatility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antioxidant function with the polymer backbone structure itself. By incorporating hindered functional aromatic pendent groups directly into the polymer chain, the formulation is simplified to a single-component system that provides both structural integrity and oxidation resistance, eliminating the complexity of multi-component formulations with separate additives.
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 exhibit improved thermo-oxidative stability, maintaining mechanical properties even after extended exposure to air at elevated temperatures, and do not require external antioxidant additives, thus addressing the limitations of conventional anti-oxidant compounds.
Implementation Method 1
chemically bonding anti-oxidant properties directly to the polymer backbone
Implementation Method 2
provide thermo-oxidative stability by chemically bonding anti-oxidant properties directly to the polymer backbone
Implementation Method 3
compositions that include such polymers, methods for making such polymers and polymer compositions, the use of such compositions for forming films, layers and/or structures
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer includes a first type of repeat unit represented by Formula I:where X is selected from —CH2—, —CH2—CH2—, or —O—; m is an integer from 0 to about 5; and where for the first type of repeat unit one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is one of a maleimide containing group and for the second type of repeat unit one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is a hindered aromatic group, a C8 or greater alkyl group, a C4 or greater halohydrocarbyl or perhalocarbyl group, a C7 or greater aralkyl group, or a heteroatom hydrocarbyl or halohydrocarbyl group.