Polysiloxane Polymer for Dirt-Repellent Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additives for coatings and polymeric surfaces fail to provide long-term anti-adhesive and dirt-repellent properties without compromising other properties like levelling, gloss, and abrasion resistance, and often rely on expensive and hygienically challenging materials.
Innovation Solution
A non-crosslinked polymer with polysiloxane segments and functional non-polysiloxane segments, linked via Si-C bonds, is used to create a coating composition that maintains anti-adhesive and dirt-repellent properties while preserving other surface characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If branched polymers with polydiorganosiloxane side chains are used, then anti-adhesive and dirt repellency properties are improved, but long-term durability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer is segmented into distinct polysiloxane segments (providing anti-adhesive properties) and non-polysiloxane segments (containing functional groups for network integration), connected via Si-C bonds. This segmentation allows the polymer to simultaneously provide surface functionality and long-term durability through network incorporation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite polymer structure combining polysiloxane segments with non-polysiloxane segments containing functional groups (hydroxyl, acryloyl, methacryloyl, etc.). This composite structure integrates the beneficial properties of both segments: anti-adhesive performance from polysiloxane and long-term durability from network-forming functional groups.
2Reliability
If polyhydroxy-functional polysiloxanes are used, then anti-adhesive properties are improved, but manufacturing cost and safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of the polymer by using polysiloxane segments with specific repeating units (formula I) and controlling the number of links between segments (less than 9.5% of silicon atoms). This parameter optimization maintains anti-adhesive properties while improving manufacturability and safety compared to glycidol-based materials.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If crosslinked polymers are used, then durability is improved, but cleanability and dirt-repellent properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer exhibits local quality differentiation: polysiloxane segments are positioned to interact with the coating surface and provide anti-adhesive and dirt-repellent properties, while non-polysiloxane segments with functional groups are positioned to integrate into the polymer network for durability. This spatial differentiation of functions resolves the contradiction between cleanability and durability.
4Reliability
If additives are added to improve anti-adhesive properties, then cleanability is improved, but other properties like levelling, gloss, and abrasion resistance are negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides anti-adhesive properties through polysiloxane segments, ensures long-term durability through network-integrated functional groups, and maintains other coating properties (levelling, gloss, abrasion resistance) by controlling the overall polymer structure and link density. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to compromise other properties for cleanability improvement.
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 polymer effectively enhances the cleanability and hydrophobicity of surfaces, reducing dirt pick-up and maintaining performance across extended wear and cleaning cycles without affecting levelling, gloss, or abrasion resistance.
Implementation Method 1
The polymer comprises polysiloxane segments comprising repeating units of the formula (I) wherein R1 is independently selected from hydrogen, deuterium, and C1-C20-alkyl groups
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the use of a polymer for improving the cleanability of a surface coating or for reducing the dirt pick up of a surface coating, wherein the polymer is a a non-crosslinked polymer having a polymer main chain comprising i) polysiloxane segments comprising repeating units of the formula (I) wherein R1 independent of each occurrence represents a hydrocarbyl group and n is an integer in the range of 6 to 150, and ii) non-polysiloxane segments having at least one functional group comprising at least one of hydroxyl group, acryloyl group, methacryloyl group, acetyl group, urethane group, and methyl ether group,wherein the number of links between non-polysiloxane segments and polysiloxane segments in the polymer is less than 9.5 %, calculated on the average number of silicon atoms per polysiloxane segment, and wherein at least one non-polysiloxane segment is located between two polysiloxane segments.