Multifunctional Polymerizable Ionic Liquid for Air-Curable Antistatic Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The industry lacks multifunctional polymerizable ionic liquids with suitable properties for use in antistatic coatings that can cure effectively in air, rather than requiring nitrogen, and have a high air to nitrogen curing exotherm ratio.
Innovation Solution
Development of multifunctional polymerizable ionic liquids with ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups bonded to a cationic group via a divalent non-alkyl linking group, such as urethane or ester linkages, allowing for curing in air due to a high air to nitrogen curing exotherm ratio of at least 0.70, and their application in antistatic coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polymerizable ionic liquids are used, then curing requires nitrogen atmosphere, but this increases process complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of the ionic liquid by introducing specific cation structures (imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium, or phosphonium) with tailored substituents and counterions. This structural parameter change enables the ionic liquid to achieve high air-to-nitrogen curing exotherm ratios (≥0.70), allowing complete curing in air without requiring nitrogen atmosphere, thus resolving the contradiction between curing completeness and process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific functional groups and linking groups (ether, ester, amide, urea, or carbamate linkages) at specific positions of the cation structure. This local structural modification creates regions with specific reactivity and oxygen resistance, enabling the polymerizable group to cure effectively in air while maintaining the ionic liquid's fundamental properties, thereby resolving the contradiction without requiring complex curing equipment
2Reliability
If conventional polymerizable ionic liquids are used, then curing requires nitrogen atmosphere, but this increases manufacturing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the air-to-nitrogen curing exotherm ratio to be at least 0.70 through specific cation and counterion selection. This parameter optimization enables the curing reaction to proceed efficiently in air with complete conversion, eliminating the need for time-consuming nitrogen purging and atmosphere control steps, thus simultaneously achieving complete curing and improved productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the ionic liquid structure in advance with specific cation types (imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium, or phosphonium) and counterions that inherently provide high oxygen resistance and suitable reactivity. This preliminary structural design ensures that the curing reaction can proceed completely in air without requiring preliminary nitrogen purging or complex atmosphere management, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining curing completeness
3Reliability
If multifunctional cation with multiple polymerizable groups is used, then antistatic properties are improved, but surface inhibition and uncured residues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific linking groups (ether, ester, amide, urea, or carbamate) between the cationic core and polymerizable groups, which modify the electronic and steric environment of the polymerizable groups. This parameter change enables multifunctional cations to cure completely in air by reducing surface inhibition, while maintaining the high antistatic properties provided by the multiple polymerizable groups, thus resolving the contradiction between antistatic performance and curing completeness
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 multifunctional polymerizable ionic liquids enable complete curing in air, minimizing surface inhibition and uncured residues, while maintaining antistatic properties and compatibility with other polymerizable components.
Implementation Method 1
The polymerizable ionic liquid comprises at least one ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group bonded to a cationic group
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunctional polymerizable ionic liquid is described comprising an anion and a cationic group having at least two ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups, each bonded to the cationic group via a divalent non-alkyl linking group. The multifunctional linking groups independently comprise a heteroatom such as oxygen or nitrogen. The linking groups may independently comprise one or more linkages such as an amide, urea, and more typically a urethane or ester linkage. The ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups are typically (meth)acrylate groups. Coatings and coated articles are also described.