Siloxane-Branched Polyether Silicone for Fluorine-Free Antifouling Paint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paint additives, particularly those used in water-based paints, lack effective antifouling performance and contribute to environmental pollution due to the use of fluorine-containing compounds, necessitating the development of fluorine-free alternatives with improved antifouling properties.

Innovation Solution

A siloxane-branched polyether-modified silicone additive for water-based paints, characterized by specific molecular structures and weight-average molecular weights, which imparts excellent antifouling performance while minimizing environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluorine-containing additives are used to achieve antifouling performance, then antifouling property is improved, but cost increases and environmental burden worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantifouling propertyVSAvoidenvironmental burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using siloxane-branched polyether-modified silicone instead of fluorine-containing compounds, achieving antifouling performance through different molecular structure parameters (siloxane backbone with polyether side chains) while eliminating harmful fluorine substances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining siloxane backbone with polyether side chains, achieving synergistic effects where the siloxane provides base stability and the polyether branches provide antifouling properties, replacing fluorine compounds with a composite material approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If conventional polyether-modified silicone is used as paint additive, then surface leveling and defoaming properties are improved, but antifouling performance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface leveling propertyVSAvoidantifouling performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the molecular structure into distinct functional parts: the siloxane backbone maintains surface leveling and defoaming properties, while the polyether side chains specifically provide antifouling performance, allowing each segment to contribute its specialized function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by introducing polyether groups specifically at the side chain positions of the siloxane structure, creating localized antifouling regions that do not interfere with the bulk siloxane properties of surface leveling and defoaming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-generated harmful factors

If water-based paint is used to reduce environmental impact, then environmental burden is reduced, but antifouling performance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental burdenVSAvoidantifouling performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The siloxane-branched polyether-modified silicone acts as an intermediary substance in water-based paints, bridging the gap between the aqueous environment and the required antifouling performance, enabling water-based systems to achieve previously only attainable with solvent-based or fluorine-containing additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 siloxane-branched polyether-modified silicone additive enhances antifouling properties in water-based paints without compromising compatibility, defoaming, and leveling properties, offering a cost-effective solution with reduced environmental burden.

Implementation Method 1

a siloxane-branched polyether-modified silicone... imparts excellent antifouling performance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

polyether-modified silicone... surface leveling property

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface energy reduction: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

polyether-modified silicone... surface leveling property... defoaming property

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 4

polyether-modified silicone... defoaming property

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDefoaming: Antifoam

Data Source

PatentEP4053224B1Aqueous paint additive, aqueous paint composition, and coating layer

Publication Date: 2025.07.16 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention is an additive for water-based paint, containing a siloxane-branched polyether-modified silicone shown by an average composition formula (1) R1aR2bR3cSiO(4-a-b-c)/2 and having a weight-average molecular weight in a range of 500 to 100,000. In the formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, or an organic group shown by a general formula (2) -CmH2m-O-(C2H4O)d(C3H6O)eR4. R2 represents a group shown by a general formula (3) -CmH2m-O- (C2H4O)f(C3H6O)g-R5; each R3 represents an organosiloxane shown by the following general formula (4). R4 represents a hydrocarbon group, or an organic group shown by R6-(CO)-. R5 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, or an organic group shown by R6-(CO)-. R6 represents a hydrocarbon group. The siloxane-branched polyether-modified silicone satisfies expressions (I), (II). Thus, this invention provides: a paint additive and a paint composition, particularly a water-based paint, with small environmental load and imparting excellent antifouling performance.