Hybrid Material for Screen Protection of Foldable Devices
Authors
Sørensen, Hans Nikolai ; Luterek, Wojciech ; Sørensen, Mathias Flugt ; Jensen, Nikolai Haugaard
Term
7. term
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-12-20
Pages
45
Abstract
Foldable smartphones use ultra-thin glass that is highly fragile, and current flexible TPU protectors lack scratch and impact resistance. This bachelor project investigates whether an organic–inorganic hybrid made by the sol–gel method can combine transparency, flexibility, and improved durability for screen protection. The material is synthesized from tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and primarily the coupling agent 3-(triethoxysilyl)-propyl isocyanate (TPI), via two-step reactions, aging, and subsequent characterization. Methods include ATR-FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), water-resistance tests, and visual/qualitative assessment; GPTMS was also explored in synthesis. Findings in the excerpt indicate transparent films where adjusting the TPI/PEG ratio tunes hardness and flexibility. Catalysis with dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL) improves thermal and water stability, consistent with stronger covalent linkage between the polymer and the silica network via the coupling agent. The best performance is reported for a TPI:PEG molar ratio of 2.0 with DBTL, associated with type II (covalent) bonding and a stronger hybrid network.
Foldbare smartphones har meget skrøbelige ultratynde glasskærme, og de nuværende fleksible TPU-beskyttere mangler ridse- og stødmodstand. Denne bacheloropgave undersøger, om et organisk–uorganisk hybridmateriale fremstillet med sol-gel-metoden kan kombinere gennemsigtighed, fleksibilitet og bedre robusthed til skærmbeskyttelse. Materialet syntetiseres ud fra tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), polyethylenglykol (PEG) og især koblingsmidlet 3-(triethoxysilyl)-propyl isocyanat (TPI), med to-trins reaktioner, efterfølgende aging og karakterisering. Metoderne omfatter ATR-FTIR, termogravimetrisk analyse (TGA), vandmodstandstests og visuel/kvantitativ vurdering; GPTMS blev også undersøgt i syntesen. Resultaterne i uddraget viser transparente film, hvor justering af TPI/PEG-forholdet påvirker hårdhed og fleksibilitet. Katalyse med dibutyltin dilaurat (DBTL) forbedrer den termiske og vandmæssige stabilitet, hvilket peger på stærkere kovalent sammenkobling mellem polymer og silikasiat via koblingsmidlet. Den bedste ydeevne rapporteres for et TPI:PEG-molforhold på 2,0 med DBTL, forbundet med type II (kovalente) bindinger og et mere robust netværk.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]