Screen Printable Antireflection Coating Rheology Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing antireflection coatings are costly, environmentally hazardous, and limited by application methods such as dip coating, which are expensive and prone to dust issues, and do not achieve high adhesive strength and mechanical stability when applied using screen printing or roller coating processes.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a condensate obtained from the condensation of silicon compounds with specific hydrolyzable and non-hydrolyzable groups, combined with a polymeric rheology control agent and high-boiling solvents, allowing for application by roller or printing processes, resulting in coatings with high mechanical stability and adhesive strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dip coating methods are used to apply antireflection compositions, then coatings can be obtained with good antireflection properties, but the process becomes expensive and prone to dust issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantireflection coating qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the rheological parameters of the coating composition by adding specific polymers (cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylates) and rheology control agents to achieve thixotropic behavior. This allows the composition to be applied by screen printing or roller coating instead of dip coating, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity while maintaining coating quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces rheology control agents and polymers as intermediaries to modify the flow properties of the coating composition. These additives enable the composition to maintain stability during storage and application by screen printing or roller coating, while preventing dust contamination and reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If MgF2 is used in high proportion for antireflection coating, then good antireflection properties are achieved, but the cost increases and harmful HF can form during disposal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantireflection coating performanceVSAvoidenvironmental harm and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive and environmentally harmful MgF2 with organic polymer-based coating compositions that are cheaper and environmentally friendly. The organic polymers (cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylates) form effective antireflection coatings without generating harmful waste products

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite coating compositions by combining organic polymers with inorganic particles (silica, titania, zirconia) in controlled proportions. This composite approach maintains antireflection performance while avoiding the environmental and cost issues associated with high MgF2 content coatings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If simple variations of existing compositions are made, then production simplicity is maintained, but screen-printable pastes with good antireflection properties cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidantireflection coating quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-condensing silicon compounds to form specific condensates with controlled molecular weight and structure before final coating application. This pre-condensation step ensures that the composition has the right rheological properties for screen printing while maintaining antireflection performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops complex composite compositions combining organic polymers, inorganic particle suspensions, and silicon compound condensates. These multi-component formulations achieve both screen printability and excellent antireflection properties, overcoming the limitations of simple composition variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite 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 solution enables cost-effective, environmentally friendly production of antireflection coatings with high transparency and mechanical stability, suitable for various substrates, and can be applied using screen printing or roller coating, significantly reducing reflection and increasing transmission.

Implementation Method 1

a composition comprising a condensate obtained by condensation of silicon compounds of the general formula RnSiX4-n

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

the radicals X are the same or different and are hydrolyzable groups or hydroxyl groups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2155622B1Bakeable, screen printable antireflection coating for glass
Publication Date: 2014.03.12 FERRO GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition for the production of an antireflection coating, comprising a condensate obtainable by the condensation of silicon compounds of the general formula RnSiX4-n (I) in which the X groups are the same or different and represent hydrolyzable groups or hydroxyl groups, the R groups are the same or different and represent non-hydrolyzable groups, and n is 0, 1, 2, or 3, wherein the composition comprises at least one polymeric agent controlling the rheology and at least one solvent with a boiling point of at least 150°C. Moreover, the present invention describes methods for the preparation and use of the present composition. In particular, the composition can be applied by screen printing methods on substrates.