Short-Chain Fluoropolymer Surface Modifier for Eco-Friendly Water Repellency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluorine-containing polymers with perfluoroalkyl groups having 8 or more carbon atoms pose environmental concerns due to high bioaccumulation potential, leading to manufacturing and usage restrictions, while those with 6 or less carbon atoms struggle to achieve required performance as surface-modifying agents.
Innovation Solution
A fluorine-containing polymer comprising a homopolymer or copolymer of a fluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative with a perfluoroalkyl group having 6 or less carbon atoms, specifically designed to be low in bioaccumulation potential, is developed, along with a surface-modifying agent containing this polymer as an active ingredient, utilizing a specific polymerization process and monomer structure to achieve stability, solubility, and performance equivalence to conventional fluorine-containing polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If perfluoroalkyl groups having 8 or more carbon atoms are used in fluorine-containing polymers, then water- and oil-repellent performance is improved, but bioaccumulation potential increases and environmental harm worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of perfluoroalkyl group length from 8 or more carbon atoms to 6 or less carbon atoms. This parameter change reduces bioaccumulation potential while maintaining acceptable water- and oil-repellent performance through optimized polymer structure and composition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs shorter perfluoroalkyl groups (6 or less carbon atoms) that are environmentally benign and easily degradable, replacing longer persistent perfluoroalkyl groups. These shorter chains provide sufficient functionality without the environmental harm of long-chain persistent compounds
2Object-affected harmful factors
If perfluoroalkyl groups having 6 or less carbon atoms are used in fluorine-containing polymers, then bioaccumulation potential is reduced, but water- and oil-repellent performance becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite fluorine-containing polymer system combining multiple components: fluorine-containing polymer (5-50 wt%), non-fluorine-containing polymer (45-95 wt%), and optional crosslinking agents. This composite structure compensates for the reduced performance of short perfluoroalkyl groups through synergistic effects of different polymer components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the hydrophobic effect at specific locations within the polymer structure. The fluorine-containing polymer segments provide localized water- and oil-repellent activity, while the non-fluorine-containing polymer provides structural bulk, creating functional heterogeneity that maintains overall performance
3Reliability
If perfluoroalkyl groups having 8 or more carbon atoms are used, then surface-modifying agent performance is improved, but manufacturing and usage are restricted due to environmental concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the perfluoroalkyl group length parameter to 6 or less carbon atoms, which removes the compound from restricted substances lists while maintaining sufficient surface-modifying performance. This parameter change enables continued manufacturing and usage without environmental restrictions
4Object-affected harmful factors
If perfluoroalkyl groups having 6 or less carbon atoms are used, then environmental friendliness is improved, but achieving required product performance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite system where fluorine-containing polymer with short perfluoroalkyl groups is combined with non-fluorine-containing polymer and optional crosslinking agents. This composite approach achieves required product performance through the combined effects of multiple components, with the fluorine-containing polymer providing environmental friendliness and the non-fluorine-containing polymer providing structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The non-fluorine-containing polymer acts as an intermediary that bridges the performance gap between short perfluoroalkyl groups and conventional long perfluoroalkyl groups. It provides the structural framework and bulk properties, allowing the environmentally friendly short chains to fulfill their hydrophobic function without compromising overall product performance
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 forms a double bond for easy decomposition and provides performance equivalent to conventional fluorine-containing polymers as a surface-modifying agent, such as a water- and oil-repellent, while being environmentally friendly and suitable for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorine-containing polymer comprising a homopolymer or copolymer of a fluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative
Implementation Method 2
readily forms a double bond by the elimination of HF from a CH2CF2 group derived from vinylidene fluoride in the molecule
Implementation Method 3
which allows easy decomposition by ozonolysis
Implementation Method 4
the expression of water- and oil-repellent properties of (meth)acrylate containing a perfluoroalkyl group
Data Source
AI summary
A fluorine-containing polymer comprising a fluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative represented by a general formula, CnF2n+1(CH2CF2)a(CF2CF2)b(CH2CH2)cOCOCR=CH2 (in the formula, R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, n is an integer of 1 to 6, preferably 2 to 4, a is an integer of 1 to 4, b is an integer of 0 to 3, and c is an integer of 1 to 3) containing in 5 to 100 wt% as a polymerization unit. A organic solvent solution or aqueous dispersion of the fluorine-containing polymer is effectively used as, for example, a surface-modifying agent such as a water-and oil-repellent or an oil barrier.