Water-Oil Repellent Layer Adhesion via Alkali Metal Silicon Oxide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water/oil repellent layers face insufficient adhesion to substrates, leading to inadequate abrasion resistance, which is a limitation in achieving improved durability and longevity of the repellent properties.

Innovation Solution

A water/oil repellent layer is formed on a substrate with a silicon oxide layer containing alkali metal atoms, specifically sodium, where the average concentration of these atoms within a 0.1 to 0.3 nm depth from the surface is between 2.0×10^19 and 4.0×10^22 atoms/cm^3, enhancing the adhesion and abrasion resistance of the layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a silicon oxide layer or undercoat layer is formed between the substrate and water/oil repellent layer, then adhesion is improved, but abrasion resistance remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the silicon oxide layer by incorporating specific alkali metal atoms (sodium, potassium, lithium, rubidium, or cesium) at controlled concentrations (2.0×10^19 to 4.0×10^22 atoms/cm³) within 0.1 to 0.3 nm depth from the surface. This parameter modification enables the layer to simultaneously achieve strong adhesion to the fluorinated compound and high abrasion resistance, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining silicon oxide with alkali metal atoms to form a novel undercoat layer. This composite material (silicon oxide containing alkali metal atoms) exhibits synergistic properties where the alkali metal components enhance both adhesion to the fluorinated compound and mechanical durability, overcoming the limitations of conventional silicon oxide or organic undercoat layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If conventional undercoat layers are used, then adhesion is partially improved, but durability and longevity of repellent properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the compositional parameters of the undercoat layer by incorporating alkali metal atoms at specific concentration ranges (2.0×10^19 to 4.0×10^22 atoms/cm³) within the surface region (0.1 to 0.3 nm depth). This precise parameter control enables the layer to provide both strong initial adhesion and long-term durability, ensuring the water/oil repellent properties are maintained over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach results in a water/oil repellent layer with superior abrasion resistance and improved adhesion to the substrate, ensuring the layer's effectiveness in maintaining repellent properties over time.

Implementation Method 1

a silicon oxide layer containing alkali metal atoms, specifically sodium, where the average concentration of these atoms within a 0.1 to 0.3 nm depth from the surface is between 2.0×10^19 and 4.0×10^22 atoms/cm^3, enhancing the adhesion and abrasion resistance of the layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a water/oil repellent layer comprising a hydrolyzed condensate of a fluorinated compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

a water/oil repellent layer comprising a hydrolyzed condensate of a fluorinated compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP3643495B1Article having water- and oil-repellent layer formed thereon, and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 AGC INC
  • EP3643495B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3643495B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3643495B1 patent drawing

AI summary

To provide a water/oil repellent layer-provided article of which the water/oil repellent layer is excellent in abrasion resistance, and a method for producing it. A water/oil repellent layer-provided article 10, comprising a substrate 12, a water/oil repellent layer 16 comprising a hydrolyzed condensate of a fluorinated compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group, and a silicon oxide layer 14 containing alkali metal atoms, present between the substrate 12 and the water/oil repellent layer 16, wherein in the silicon oxide layer 14, the average concentration of the alkali metal atoms in a region with a depth from the surface in contact with the water/oil repellent layer 16 of at least 0.1 nm and at most 0.3 nm, is at least 2.0×1019 atoms/cm3.