Abstract: A light extraction substrate includes a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A first light extraction region can be defined on and/or adjacent the first surface. The first light extraction region includes nanoparticles. A second light extraction region can be defined on at least a part of the second surface. The second light extraction region has a surface roughness of at least 10 nm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an article comprising an optical cover assembly. The optical cover assembly comprises: (A) a substrate comprising an outer surface and an opposing inner surface; (B) an optional first coating layer applied directly to at least the outer surface of the substrate; (C) an anti-reflective coating stack comprising at least one coating layer; and (D) a topmost coating layer comprising a fluorosilane polymer on the outer surface of the substrate. The optical cover assembly demonstrates hydrophobicity and extended UV durability, and serves as a component of at least one of a vehicle, a light sensor, a LiDAR detector, a motion sensor, a vision camera, a backup camera, a security camera, an IR camera, a headlight, a taillight, a signal light, a RADAR emitter, a RADAR detector, an aircraft landing light, and a gas detector.

Abstract: A substrate at least partially coated with an anti-fingerprint coating is prepared from a coating composition that includes: (a) an organic solvent; and (b) an alkoxysilane functional polymer having at least one ester linkage, at least one urethane linkage, and at least one alkoxysilane functional group. Further, the polymer is prepared from components including: (i) an active hydrogen functional compound having a hydroxyl group, amino group, thiol group, or a combination thereof; (ii) an intramolecular cyclic ester; and (iii) an isocyanate functional compound. The isocyanate functional compound (iii) has one or more alkoxysilane functional groups. Alkoxysilane functional polymers and coating compositions containing the same are also included.

Abstract: A substrate at least partially coated with an anti-fingerprint coating is prepared from a coating composition that includes: (a) an organic solvent; and (b) an alkoxysilane functional polymer having at least one ester linkage, at least one urethane linkage, and at least one alkoxysilane functional group. Further, the polymer is prepared from components including: (i) an active hydrogen functional compound having a hydroxyl group, amino group, thiol group, or a combination thereof; (ii) an intramolecular cyclic ester; and (iii) an isocyanate functional compound. The active hydrogen functional compound (i), the isocyanate functional compound (iii), or both (i) and (iii) have one or more alkoxysilane functional groups. Alkoxysilane functional polymers and coating compositions containing the same are also included.

Abstract: Touch screen displays and other coated articles demonstrating antiglare properties are provided. A method of forming an antiglare coating on a substrate is also provided, and may be used to prepare the coated articles. The method comprises: (a) heating the substrate to a temperature of at least 100° F. (37.8° C.) to form a heated substrate; (b) applying a curable film-forming composition on at least one surface of the heated substrate to form a substrate coated with a sol-gel layer; and (c) subjecting the coated substrate to thermal conditions for a time sufficient to effect cure of the sol-gel layer. The curable film-forming composition comprises: (i) a silane; (ii) a mineral acid; and (iii) a solvent; wherein the weight ratio of mineral acid to silane is greater than 0.008:1 and the curable film-forming composition has a solids content of less than 10 percent by weight.

Abstract: Curable film-forming sol-gel compositions that are essentially free of inorganic oxide particles are provided. The compositions contain: a tetraalkoxysilane; a solvent component; and non-oxide particles, and further contain either i) a mineral acid or ii) an epoxy functional trialkoxysilane and a metal-containing catalyst. Coated articles demonstrating antiglare properties are also provided, comprising: (a) a substrate having at least one surface; and (b) a cured film-forming composition applied thereon, formed from a curable sol-gel composition comprising a silane and non-oxide particles. A method of forming an antiglare coating on a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: Curable film-forming sol-gel compositions that are essentially free of inorganic oxide particles are provided. The compositions contain: a tetraalkoxysilane; a solvent component; and non-oxide particles, and further contain either i) a mineral acid or ii) an epoxy functional trialkoxysilane and a metal-containing catalyst. Coated articles demonstrating antiglare properties are also provided, comprising: (a) a substrate having at least one surface; and (b) a cured film-forming composition applied thereon, formed from a curable sol-gel composition comprising a silane and non-oxide particles. A method of forming an antiglare coating on a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A light extraction substrate includes a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A first light extraction region can be defined on and/or adjacent the first surface. The first light extraction region includes nanoparticles. A second light extraction region can be defined on at least a part of the second surface. The second light extraction region has a surface roughness of at least 10 nm.

Abstract: A substrate at least partially coated with an anti-fingerprint coating is prepared from a coating composition that includes: (a) an organic solvent; and (b) an alkoxysilane functional polymer having at least one ester linkage, at least one urethane linkage, and at least one alkoxysilane functional group. Further, the polymer is prepared from components including: (i) an active hydrogen functional compound having a hydroxyl group, amino group, thiol group, or a combination thereof; (ii) an intramolecular cyclic ester; and (iii) an isocyanate functional compound. The active hydrogen functional compound (i), the isocyanate functional compound (iii), or both (i) and (iii) have one or more alkoxysilane functional groups. Alkoxysilane functional polymers and coating compositions containing the same are also included.

Abstract: A light extraction substrate includes a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A first light extraction region can be defined on and/or adjacent the first surface. The first light extraction region includes nanoparticles. A second light extraction region can be defined on at least a part of the second surface. The second light extraction region has a surface roughness of at least 10 nm.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer having fluoropolyether linkages, at least two ester linkages, and hydrolyzable functional groups is represented by chemical structure (I): With respect to chemical structure (I), m is a number from 1 to 4 and n is a number from 10 to 60, each R1 is independently fluorine or CF3, R2 is an alkylene group, R3 is an alkylene group in which one or more hydrogens of the alkylene group are optionally substituted with fluorine, R4 is an alkyl group in which one or more hydrogens of the alkyl group are substituted with fluorine, R5 is an alkylene group in which at least one hydrogen of the alkylene group is substituted with a group comprising CF3, CF2H, or a hydrolyzable silyl group, and Z is a group represented by chemical structure (II), Methods of preparing the fluoropolymer and coating compositions containing the fluoropolymer are also included.

Abstract: Coated articles demonstrating anti-fouling properties are provided, comprising: (a) a substrate comprising sapphire; (b) an adhesion promoting layer applied to the substrate; and (c) a top layer comprising at least an anti-fouling coating applied to the adhesion promoting layer. The adhesion promoting layer is formed from a curable sol-gel composition and has a dry film thickness less than 1000 nm after curing. The present invention also provides a method of forming a coated article comprising: (a) applying a curable film-forming sol-gel composition on a sapphire substrate, to form a coated substrate with a sol-gel adhesion promoting layer having a dry film thickness less than 1000 nm after curing; (b) subjecting the coated substrate to a temperature of at least 500° C. to effect cure of the sol-gel composition; and (c) applying at least an anti-fouling coating on the adhesion promoting layer to form a multi-layer, coated article.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer having fluoropolyether linkages, at least two ester linkages, and hydrolyzable functional groups is represented by chemical structure (I): With respect to chemical structure (I), m is a number from 1 to 4 and n is a number from 10 to 60, each R1 is independently fluorine or CF3, R2 is an alkylene group, R3 is an alkylene group in which one or more hydrogens of the alkylene group are optionally substituted with fluorine, R4 is an alkyl group in which one or more hydrogens of the alkyl group are substituted with fluorine, R5 is an alkylene group in which at least one hydrogen of the alkylene group is substituted with a group comprising CF3, CF2H, or a hydrolyzable silyl group, and Z is a group represented by chemical structure (II), Methods of preparing the fluoropolymer and coating compositions containing the fluoropolymer are also included.

Abstract: Coated articles demonstrating antireflective properties are provided. Exemplary coated articles comprise a substrate and two or three coating layers applied to at least one surface of the substrate; the coatings are deposited from sol-gel compositions comprising a silane. Each adjacent coating layer demonstrates a different refractive index. The coated article further comprises an outermost anti-fouling coating layer applied to at least one surface of a coating layer. Processes for forming the coated articles are also provided.

Abstract: Coated articles demonstrating anti-reflective properties are provided. Exemplary coated articles comprise a substrate and an anti-reflective coating layer applied to at least one surface of the substrate. The anti-reflective coating layer is formed from an acidic sol-gel composition comprising: (a) tetraalkoxysilane; (b) alkyl trialkoxysilane; (c) a silane-functional acrylic polymer; (d) inorganic oxide particles; (e) a mineral acid; (f) water; and (g) a solvent. The coated article optionally further comprises an outermost anti-fouling coating layer applied to at least one surface of the anti-reflective coating layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an anti-glare coating on a substrate is provided. The method comprises: (a) heating the substrate to a temperature of at least 100° F. (37.8° C.) to form a heated substrate; (b) applying a curable film-forming sol-gel composition on at least one surface of the heated substrate, to form a coated substrate with a sol-gel network layer having a surface roughness; and (c) subjecting the coated substrate to conditions for a time sufficient to effect cure of the sol-gel layer and form an anti-glare, coated article. The sol-gel network layer is essentially free of inorganic oxide particles and comprises: (i) a tetraalkoxysilane; (ii) an epoxy functional trialkoxysilane; (iii) a metal-containing catalyst; and (iv) a solvent component. Coated articles prepared by the method above and demonstrating anti-glare properties are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a polymer and a method for making a polymer that has nanostructures incorporated into the matrix of the polymer. The method of the invention involves the following steps: mixing a precursor solution for the polymer with a precursor for the nanostructures to form a mixture; forming nanostructures in the mixture from the precursor of the nanostructures; and forming a polymer from the precursor solution of the polymer so that the nanostructures are incorporated into the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A method of making colored glass in a float glass process includes the steps of: melting glass batch materials in a furnace to form a glass melt; transporting the glass melt into a float glass chamber having a flame spray device, the glass melt forming a float glass ribbon; supplying at least one coating material to the flame spray device to form a spray having coating particles; and directing the spray onto the float glass ribbon to diffuse the particles into the surface of the float glass ribbon to form a glass sheet of a desired color.

Abstract: A light extraction substrate includes a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A light extraction layer is formed on at least one of the surfaces. The light extraction layer is a coating, such as a silicon-containing coating, incorporating nanoparticles.

Abstract: A silicon thin film solar cell includes a substrate and an undercoating formed over the substrate. The undercoating includes first layer of tin oxide or titania and a second layer having a mixture of oxides of at least two of Sn, P, Si, Ti, Al, and Zr. A conductive coating is over the first coating. The conductive coating includes oxides of one or more of Zn, Fe, Mn, Al, Ce, Sn, Sb, Hf, Zr, Ni, Zn, Bi, Ti, Co, Cr, Si, or In or an alloy of two or more of these materials. A coated article has a substrate and an anti-iridescent layer formed over the substrate. The anti-iridescent layer has a metal oxide film and a homogeneous mixed oxide film. A functional film is over the anti-iridescent layer.