Polysilazane Film Composition for Storage Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for forming water repellent films on substrates face issues with chemical stability and storage stability due to the use of low-reactivity silane compounds, which can lead to volatility and precipitation of insoluble solids, and high-reactivity chlorosilanes that result in unstable coating solutions.

Innovation Solution

A water repellent film-forming composition comprising a polysilazane with a specific structure, untreated metal oxide nanoparticles, and an aprotic solvent, where the polysilazane has a C3-C20 monovalent hydrocarbon group bonded to a silicon atom, and the nanoparticles have an optionally fluorinated C1-C20 monovalent hydrocarbon group or alkylsilyl/alkoxysilyl group on their surface, providing improved stability and reproducibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If low-reactivity silane compounds are used to form water repellent films, then chemical stability is improved, but storage stability deteriorates due to volatility and precipitation of insoluble solids

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical reactivity parameter of the silane compound by introducing a hydrolyzable group (alkoxysilyl or halosilyl) that enables controlled hydrolysis and condensation reactions. This parameter change transforms the low-reactivity silane into a polysilane with enhanced stability while maintaining solubility and preventing precipitation during storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite water repellent film combining polysilane polymer chains with hydrophobic alkyl or fluoroalkyl groups. This composite structure integrates the stability of the polysilane backbone with the water repellency of the hydrophobic side chains, achieving both chemical stability and storage stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Speed

If high-reactivity chlorosilanes are used to form water repellent films, then film formation speed is improved, but coating solution stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm formation speedVSAvoidcoating solution stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary hydrolysis of the alkoxysilyl or halosilyl groups to form silanol intermediates before coating application. This preliminary action enables controlled polymerization after coating, achieving fast film formation while maintaining coating solution stability during storage through the use of stable precursors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces silanol groups as intermediary species that mediate between the stable precursor (alkoxysilane or halosilane) and the final crosslinked polysilane network. These silanol intermediates enable controlled reaction kinetics, providing both solution stability and rapid film formation when triggered by moisture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a smooth surface is used for water repellency, then water contact angle can be increased, but droplet sliding properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater contact angleVSAvoiddroplet sliding properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates local quality variations on the film surface by incorporating microparticles with different sizes, shapes, and surface properties. These localized heterogeneities generate microscopic irregularities that reduce adhesion between water droplets and the surface, enabling droplet sliding while maintaining high water contact angle through the hydrophobic polysilane matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the porous or micro-rough structure formed by packed microparticles to create air pockets between water droplets and the solid surface. This porous structure reduces the actual contact area between water and solid, enhancing both water repellency (high contact angle) and droplet mobility (sliding properties) simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous 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 good storage stability and forms a water repellent, especially superhydrophobic film with excellent water repellency, droplet sliding properties, and durability, maintaining performance even after washing.

Implementation Method 1

the polysilazane has a C3-C20 monovalent hydrocarbon group bonded to a silicon atom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

forms a water repellent, especially superhydrophobic film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

untreated metal oxide nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles having an optionally fluorinated C1-C20 monovalent hydrocarbon group on their surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 4

the nanoparticles have an optionally fluorinated C1-C20 monovalent hydrocarbon group or alkylsilyl/alkoxysilyl group on their surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobe: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS11118072B2Water repellent film-forming composition and water repellent film
Publication Date: 2021.09.14 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD

AI summary

A composition is provided comprising (a) a polysilazane having a monovalent hydrocarbon group, (b) untreated metal oxide nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles having a monovalent hydrocarbon group, or metal oxide nanoparticles having an alkylsilyl or alkoxysilyl group, and (c) an aprotic solvent. The composition has storage stability and is suitable for forming a film having water repellent, especially superhydrophobic properties.