UV-Curable Antistatic Hard Coating With Stable Hardness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antistatic hard coatings using ionic liquids or electrically conductive polymers face a trade-off between antistatic ability and hardness, with humidity affecting antistatic performance and compromising scratch resistance.

Innovation Solution

A resin composition for ultraviolet curing hard coatings containing polythiophene with specific structural units and an ultraviolet curable resin, which provides a self-doped electrically conductive polymer for stable antistatic ability and high hardness, along with water repellency and antifouling properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ionic liquids or electrically conductive polymers are added to hard coating, then antistatic ability is improved, but hardness and scratch resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantistatic abilityVSAvoidhardness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the electrically conductive polymer by incorporating specific structural units (formula 1 and formula 2) into the polythiophene backbone. This structural modification enables the polymer to achieve both high electrical conductivity for antistatic function and compatibility with the resin matrix for maintaining hardness, resolving the trade-off between antistatic ability and hardness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite electrically conductive polymer system by combining polythiophene with specific structural units (formula 1 and formula 2) and integrating it into the ultraviolet curable resin matrix. This composite approach allows the coating to exhibit both antistatic properties from the conductive polymer and hardness from the crosslinked resin network, simultaneously achieving both desired properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional antistatic hard coating is applied, then antistatic function is achieved, but performance becomes unstable under varying humidity conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantistatic functionVSAvoidperformance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the electrically conductive polymer by introducing specific structural units with appropriate side chains (formula 1 and formula 2) that provide both conductivity and environmental stability. These structural modifications make the polymer's electrical properties less sensitive to humidity changes, ensuring stable antistatic performance across varying humidity conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional ionic liquids that are highly sensitive to humidity with a more robust electrically conductive polymer system. While ionic liquids provide initial conductivity, their performance degrades with humidity changes. The polythiophene-based polymer provides durable, stable conductivity that maintains antistatic function reliably under varying environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If ultraviolet curable resin is used for hard coating, then productivity and application efficiency are improved, but achieving both antistatic ability and high hardness simultaneously becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication efficiencyVSAvoidsimultaneous achievement of antistatic ability and hardness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the chemical parameters of the electrically conductive polymer by selecting specific structural units (formula 1 and formula 2) that are compatible with ultraviolet curing mechanisms. The polymer contains functional groups that can participate in or tolerate the UV curing process, allowing the coating to be applied efficiently via UV curing while simultaneously achieving both antistatic ability from the conductive polymer and high hardness from the crosslinked resin matrix

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition achieves a hard coating with excellent antistatic ability, high hardness, and stable performance across varying humidity levels, while also offering water repellency and antifouling properties.

Implementation Method 1

an ultraviolet curable resin (B)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP4428204B1Resin composition for ultraviolet curing hard coating containing electrically conductive polymer and production method therefore

Publication Date: 2025.11.19 TOSOH CORP

AI summary

In regard to a conventionally known resin composition for an antistatic hard coating to which an ionic liquid is added and an antistatic hard coating using it, there is a problem that it is difficult to achieve both an antistatic ability and high hardness. In order to solve the problem, used is a resin composition for an ultraviolet curing hard coating, the resin composition containing: an electrically conductive polymer that contains polythiophene (A) including at least two structural units represented by a specific general formula; an ultraviolet curable resin (B); and a solvent (C).