Surface modified substrate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for modifying the surfaces of polymeric and textile materials are often fugitive and can cause mechanical or chemical damage, leading to temporary changes that compromise the performance of the materials for their intended end-use applications.

Innovation Solution

A surface modified substrate comprising a nitrene and/or carbene precursor that chemically binds to the substrate, allowing for the formation of reactive nitrene or carbene functional groups, which can covalently modify the surface properties of polymeric or textile materials, such as altering hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, or oleophilicity, and providing durable functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional surface treatment methods (plasma, corona, fluorooxidation) are used to modify polymeric substrates, then surface functionality is improved, but mechanical or chemical damage to the substrate occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface functionalityVSAvoidsubstrate damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a surface modifying agent as an intermediary substance that mediates between the treatment process and the polymeric substrate. This agent contains functional groups that can be activated to form covalent bonds with the substrate surface, enabling surface modification without direct harsh treatment of the substrate itself, thus preventing mechanical or chemical damage while achieving desired surface functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by employing a surface modifying agent that can be activated under controlled conditions (heat or UV light) to transform from an inactive state to an active state capable of covalent bonding. This controlled activation allows surface modification to proceed under mild conditions that do not damage the substrate, resolving the contradiction between achieving surface functionality and preventing substrate damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If coating or dip-coating functional materials onto the substrate surface is used, then surface functionality is improved, but durability deteriorates as the coating wears off over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface functionalityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the surface modifying agent into a coating or dip-coating solution before application to the substrate. The agent is pre-positioned on the substrate surface in an inactive state, then activated subsequently to form permanent covalent bonds. This preliminary positioning ensures the modifying agent is already in place to create durable attachments, preventing the functionality from wearing off over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining the surface modifying agent with the polymeric substrate through covalent bonding. This composite material integrates the functional properties of the modifying agent with the structural integrity of the substrate, resulting in a durable surface modification that maintains its functionality over time rather than wearing off like simple coatings

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 provides a durable and permanent modification of surface properties, enhancing the material's suitability for various applications by ensuring the chemical reactivity and functionality are maintained over time, even under exposure to UV light or heat, without causing damage to the substrate.

Implementation Method 1

a surface modifying agent which comprises, for example, a styrene sulfonated monomer, polymer or copolymer which contains one or more sulfonyl functional groups, such as sulfonyl azide functional groups, which, upon activation, is capable of chemically reacting with the surface of a polymeric or textile material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotochemical reaction: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

capable of undergoing a chemical reaction, optionally in the presence of heat or light, to form one or more nitrene and/or carbene functional groups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3858900A1Surface modified substrate
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 CELGARD LLC
  • EP3858900A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3858900A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3858900A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a surface modified substrate comprising: a surface modifying agent chemically bound to a substrate, the substrate is a textile substrate or a battery separator, the surface modifying agent comprising a substrate coupling component being a nitrene and/or a carbene precursor. A surface modified substrate comprising: a surface modifying agent chemically bound to a substrate, the substrate is a textile substrate, the surface modifying agent comprising a substrate coupling component being a nitrene and/or a carbene precursor. Furthermore, the present invention is possibly preferably directed to a surface modifying agent which comprises a styrene sulfonated nitrene monomer, polymer or polymer containing one or more nitrene functional groups, which are capable of chemically reacting via an insertion reaction into one or more carbon-hydrogen bonds on the surface of a polymeric or textile material in order to chemically attach a specific or desired chemical functionality to the surface of a polymeric or textile material.