Sulfonated Urethane Composition for Water and Oil Repellency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current non-fluorinated compounds for water repellency and stain release in textiles and coatings are less effective compared to fluorinated counterparts, necessitating the development of improved stain release or surfactant properties.

Innovation Solution

A sulfonated urethane composition is created through the reaction of isocyanate-containing compounds, fluorinated or non-fluorinated alcohols, sugar alcohols, and a bisulfate source, which can be used to reduce surface tension and provide enhanced water and oil repellency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluorinated copolymers are used for water and oil repellency, then repellency effectiveness is improved, but cost and environmental concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepellency effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental concerns
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating fluorinated alcohol segments into a polyurethane backbone, creating a hybrid structure that maintains fluorinated repellency while reducing overall fluorine content compared to traditional fluorinated copolymers. This parameter modification allows achieving effective water and oil repellency with reduced environmental impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining fluorinated alcohol segments with polyurethane backbone, integrating the hydrophobic properties of fluorinated compounds with the structural stability of polyurethane. This composite approach enables effective repellency while potentially reducing the harmful environmental effects associated with fully fluorinated polymers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If non-fluorinated copolymers are used to reduce cost and environmental impact, then cost and environmental concerns are improved, but repellency effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental concernsVSAvoidrepellency effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating fluorinated alcohol segments at specific locations within the polymer structure, particularly at chain ends and side groups, where they can maximize their hydrophobic effect. This localized placement of fluorinated groups provides effective water and oil repellency without requiring the entire polymer to be fluorinated, thus balancing effectiveness with reduced environmental impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining fluorinated alcohol segments with polyurethane backbone, integrating the hydrophobic properties of fluorinated compounds with the structural stability of polyurethane. This composite approach enables effective repellency while potentially reducing the harmful environmental effects associated with fully fluorinated polymers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional non-fluorinated urethane-based copolymers are used, then cost is reduced, but stain release properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidstain release properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition by incorporating fluorinated alcohol segments into the urethane structure, changing the surface energy parameters to achieve both water and oil repellency. This parameter change enables effective stain release properties while maintaining cost advantages over fully fluorinated copolymers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining fluorinated alcohol segments with polyurethane backbone, integrating the hydrophobic properties of fluorinated compounds with the structural stability of polyurethane. This composite approach enables effective repellency while potentially reducing the harmful environmental effects associated with fully fluorinated polymers

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 resulting composition demonstrates improved water and oil repellency, as well as stain release properties comparable to fluorinated treatments, while being more effective than traditional non-fluorinated alternatives.

Implementation Method 1

Fluorinated and non-fluorinated surfactants are known to be useful as additives to aqueous systems including architectural coatings for reducing surface tension

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

Fluorinated copolymers provide good repellency to water and oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3197865A1Sulfonated fluorinated, non-fluorinated or partially fluorinated urethanes
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 THE CHEMOURS CO FC LLC

AI summary

The invention relates to a compound prepared by (i) reacting (a) at least one compound selected from diisocyanate, polyisocyanate, or mixture thereof; (b) at least one isocyanate-reactive compound selected from a fluorinated alcohol; a cyclic or acyclic sugar alcohol which is substituted with at least one -R1, -C(O)R1, -(CH2CH2O)n(CH(CH3)CH2O)mR2, -(CH2CH2O)n(CH(CH3)CH2O)mC(O)R1, or mixtures thereof; or mixtures of a fluorinated alcohol and a substituted cyclic or acyclic sugar alcohol; and (c) at least one isocyanate-reactive ethylenically unsaturated compound; wherein each n is independently 0 to 20; each m is independently 0 to 20; m+n is greater than 0; each R1 is independently a linear or branched alkyl group having 5 to 29 carbons optionally comprising at least 1 unsaturated bond; each R2 is independently -H, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 to 30 carbons optionally comprising at least 1 unsaturated bond, or mixtures thereof; and (ii) reacting the reaction product of step (i) with a bisulfate source.