Abstract: A surface treatment process comprises (a) providing at least one substrate having at least one major surface; (b) combining (1) at least one curable oligomeric or polymeric polysilazane comprising at least one chemically reactive site, and (2) at least one fluorochemical compound comprising (i) at least one organofluorine or heteroorganofluorine moiety that comprises at least about six perfluorinated carbon atoms, and (ii) at least one functional group that is capable of reacting with the polysilazane through at least one of the chemically reactive sites; (c) allowing or inducing the polysilazane and the fluorochemical compound to react to form at least one curable organofluorine-modified polysilazane; (d) applying the curable organofluorine-modified polysilazane or its precursors to at least a portion of at least one major surface of the substrate; and (e) curing the curable organofluorine-modified polysilazane to form a surface treatment.

Abstract: A composition for preparing curable organofluorine-modified polysilazanes comprises (a) at least one curable oligomeric or polymeric polysilazane comprising at least one chemically reactive site; and (b) at least one fluorochemical compound comprising (1) at least one organofluorine or heteroorganofluorine moiety, and (2) at least one functional group that is capable of reacting with the curable oligomeric or polymeric polysilazane through at least one of the chemically reactive sites of the polysilazane. The curable organofluorine-modified polysilazanes can be prepared by combining the components of the composition and allowing or inducing the components to react.

Abstract: An optical device having a first optical member, a second optical member, and an antistatic layer disposed between the first optical member and the second optical member wherein the antistatic layer contains the reaction product of a mixture comprising at least one polymerizable onium salt having an anion and at least one non-onium polymerizable monomer, oligomer, or polymer.

Abstract: Presently described are coating compositions comprising a polymerizable resin composition and a non-ionic unpolymerizable surfactant. In some embodiments, the coating comprises greater than 10 wt-% of non-ionic unpolymerizable surfactant. In other embodiments, the coating composition comprises an an additive comprising a silicone group or a fluorinated group and a hydrophobic group. Also described are articles comprising the cured coating compositions. In one embodiment, an article is described comprising a cured coating wherein the cured coating exhibits a property of an initially visible simulated fingerprint reducing in visibility in 1-20 minutes. Also described is a method of determining the fingerprint visibility of a coating composition and a polyacylate composition useful as an additive. In another embodiment a coated surface is described comprising a polymeric organic material comprising a plurality of pores wherein a portion of the pores are interconnected and comprise a lipophilic liquid.

Abstract: Optical devices comprising at least one optical layer and at least one antistatic layer disposed on at least one surface of the optical layer wherein the antistatic layer comprises the reaction product of: (a) at least one polymerizable onium salt; and (b) at least one polymerizable, non-onium, silicone or perfluoropolyether moiety-containing monomer, oligomer, or polymer.

Abstract: Antireflective film articles and low refractive index coating compositions are described that comprises a fluorinated free-radically polymerizable polymeric (e.g. intermediate) material. The free-radically polymerizable fluorinated polymeric intermediate comprises the reaction product of i) at least one multi-functional free-radically polymerizable material having a fluorine content of at least 25 wt-%, and ii) optionally other multi-functional free-radically polymerizable material. The total amount of multi-functional materials is preferably at least about 25 wt-%.

Abstract: Presently described are coating compositions comprising a polymerizable resin composition and a non-ionic unpolymerizable surfactant. In some embodiments, the coating comprises greater than 10 wt-% of non-ionic unpolymerizable surfactant. In other embodiments, the coating composition comprises an an additive comprising a silicone group or a fluorinated group and a hydrophobic group. Also described are articles comprising the cured coating compositions. In one embodiment, an article is described comprising a cured coating wherein the cured coating exhibits a property of an initially visible simulated fingerprint reducing in visibility in 1-20 minutes. Also described is a method of determining the fingerprint visibility of a coating composition and a polyacylate composition useful as an additive. In another embodiment a coated surface is described comprising a polymeric organic material comprising a plurality of pores wherein a portion of the pores are interconnected and comprise a lipophilic liquid.

Abstract: Presently described are self-assembling antireflective (“AR”) coating compositions comprising high refractive index surface modified nanoparticles. Also described are various articles such as protective films, optical displays, and windows, comprising such (e.g. dried and cured) AR coating.

Abstract: A multifunctional polymerizable ionic liquid is described comprising an anion and a cationic group having at least two ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups, each bonded to the cationic group via a divalent non-alkyl linking group. The multifunctional linking groups independently comprise a heteroatom such as oxygen or nitrogen. The linking groups may independently comprise one or more linkages such as an amide, urea, or ether linkage and more typically a urethane or ester linkage. The ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable groups are typically (meth)acrylate groups. Coatings and coated articles are also described.

Abstract: Presently is described a free-radically polymerizable composition comprising a mixture of reaction products of i) at least one polyisocyanate; ii) at least one isocyanate reactive perfluoropolyether compound; iii) at least one isocyanate reactive compound comprising greater than 6 repeat units of ethylene oxide; and iv) at least one isocyanate reactive non-fluorinated crosslinker comprising at least two free-radically polymerizable groups.

Abstract: Fluorocarbon- and urethane-(meth)acryl-containing additives and hardcoats. The hardcoats are particularly useful as a surface layer on an optical device.

Abstract: Antireflective films are described having a surface layer comprising a the reaction product of a polymerizable low refractive index composition comprising at least one free-radically polymerizable fluoropolymer and surface modified inorganic nanoparticles. A high refractive index layer is coupled to the low refractive index layer. In one embodiment, the high refractive index layer comprises surface modified inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a crosslinked organic material. The antireflective film is preferably durable, exhibiting a haze of less than 1.0% after 25 wipes with steel wool using a 3.2 cm mandrel and a mass of 1000 grams.

Abstract: Presently described are curable compositions comprising a mixture of at least one (e.g. free-radically) polymerizable ionic liquid and at least one other ethylenically unsaturated monomer, oligomer, or polymer. The polymerizable ionic liquid is characterized as having an air to nitrogen curing exotherm ratio of at least 0.70. Also described are articles and methods of making articles from such curable compositions. A monofunctional polymerizable ionic liquid is also described comprising a non-polymerizable substituted imidazolium cationic group and a polymerizable sulfonate anion.

Abstract: Fluorocarbon- and urethane-(meth)acryl-containing additives and hardcoats. The hardcoats are particularly useful as a surface layer on an optical device.

Abstract: Melt additive ionic and non-ionic surfactants to impart stable durable hydrophilicity to thermoplastic polymers or blends thereof.

Abstract: Antireflective films are described having a surface layer comprising a the reaction product of a polymerizable low refractive index composition comprising at least one fluorinated free-radically polymerizable material and surface modified inorganic nanoparticles. A high refractive index layer is coupled to the low refractive index layer. In one embodiment, the high refractive index layer comprises surface modified inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a crosslinked organic material. The antireflective film is preferably durable, exhibiting a haze of less than 1.0% after 25 wipes with steel wool using a 3.2 cm mandrel and a mass of 1000 grams.

Abstract: Compositions comprising cationic compounds having fluorinated ether groups and silane groups are provided, the compounds having the formula (I).

Abstract: A personal safety protective device that includes a lens and a support structure onto which the lens is secured. The lens includes a substrate and a hard-coat layer located on the substrate of the lens. The hard-coat layer has a low surface energy outer surface that is derived from a) an additive that includes at least one of i) a perfluoropolyether urethane that includes hydrolysable silane groups, and ii) an acrylate polymer that includes at least one perfluoropolyether moiety and at least one hydrolysable silane group, and b) a silsesquioxane-based hard-coat composition. The provision of such a lens on a personal safety protective device enables the lens to be durable to abrasion and to be easily cleaned without use of solvents that could shorten the service life of the lens.

Abstract: Polypropylene fibers and devices that include a fatty acid monoglyceride added to the polypropylene as a melt additive are described. A hydrophilic enhancer material can be advantageously added to the polypropylene as a melt additive to enhance the hydrophilicity of the fibers and devices. An antimicrobial enhancer material can be added to the fibers to enhance the antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: Articles such as optical displays and protective films, comprising a (e.g. light transmissive) substrate having a surface layer comprising the reaction product of a mixture comprising a hydrocarbon-based hardcoat composition and at least one perfluoropolyether urethane additive. The surface layer exhibits low lint attraction in combination with high contact angles. Hardcoat coating compositions comprising a perfluoropolyether urethane additive and a silicone(meth)acrylate additive are also described.