Silsesquioxane Derivative for Low Viscosity Hard Coat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solvent-free curable compositions face a trade-off between low viscosity and high hardness, with reduced viscosity leading to decreased curability and hardness of the cured product.
Innovation Solution
A silsesquioxane derivative represented by Formula (1) with specific structural and compositional ratios, including constitutional units (b), (c), and (f), which maintains low viscosity while achieving high hardness in the cured product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the viscosity of solvent-free curable composition is decreased to improve coatability, then curability and hardness of the cured product tend to decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the molar ratios of constitutional units in the silsesquioxane derivative. Specifically, it sets the molar ratio of unit (b) at 20-80 mol%, unit (c) at 10-50 mol%, and unit (f) at 5-30 mol%, with additional constraints on their relationships (e.g., unit (b)/(unit (c)+unit (f)) ≥ 0.5 and unit (c)/(unit (b)+unit (f)) ≥ 0.1). These parameter optimizations enable the material to achieve both low viscosity and high hardness simultaneously, resolving the trade-off between coatability and cured product quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material principles by creating an organic-inorganic hybrid silsesquioxane derivative with a specific molecular architecture. The compound integrates multiple constitutional units (b), (c), and (f) containing different functional groups (methacryloyloxy, hydroxyl, vinyl) within a single molecular structure. This composite design allows the material to exhibit both low viscosity for easy coating and high crosslinking density for hard cured products, effectively resolving the contradiction between coatability and hardness.
2Ease of operation
If solvent is added to improve coatability of curable composition, then additional processing steps and environmental load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by completely removing solvent from the curable composition system. It achieves this by designing a silsesquioxane derivative with inherent low viscosity through optimized molecular structure and composition ratios, eliminating the need for solvent-based coatability enhancement. This removes the complexity of solvent removal steps and reduces environmental impact while maintaining excellent coating properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The silsesquoxane derivative is designed to be self-sufficient by incorporating functional groups that provide both low viscosity and high reactivity. The molecular structure itself (with specific units (b), (c), and (f) in controlled ratios) enables easy coating without external solvent assistance, while simultaneously ensuring complete curing and high hardness. The material serves its own coatability and performance requirements through its intrinsic molecular design.
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 silsesquioxane derivative achieves low viscosity and high hardness in the cured product, enhancing coatability and reducing solvent use, suitable for applications requiring low viscosity and excellent hardness.
Implementation Method 1
a curable composition is applied to a base material using various known application methods, and then the applied curable composition is cured by irradiation with active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays
Data Source
AI summary
A silsesquioxane derivative represented by the following Formula (1). In Formula (1), each of R1 and R2 is independently an alkylene group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a cycloalkylene group having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, an arylene group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, or an aralkylene group having from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, R3 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R6 is an organic group having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms and having at least one of an ethylenically unsaturated bond or a carbon-carbon triple bond, R7 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, plural R7's present may be the same as or different from each other, y is a positive number, and at least one of u or v is a positive number.