# US 12,006,434 B2 · Photocurable compositions and method of forming topographical features on a membrane surface using photocurable compositions

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- Number: US 12,006,434 B2
- Document ID: US12006434B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/034,140
- Filed: 2020-09-28
- Published: 2021-01-14
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-28
- Assignees: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
- Applicants: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
- Inventors: Michael Izzo; Ivan Johnson; Shuhua Jin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12006434B2

## CPC

- B01D 67/0088: {Physical treatment with compounds, e.g. swelling, coating or impregnation}
- C08L 75/16: having terminal carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
- B01D 61/025: {Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration}
- B01D 67/0034: {by micromachining techniques, e.g. using masking and etching steps, photolithography}
- B01D 69/02: characterised by their properties
- B05D 1/32: using means for protecting parts of a surface not to be coated, e.g. using stencils, resists
- B05D 3/067: {Curing or cross-linking the coating}
- B08B 17/065: {the surface having a microscopic surface pattern to achieve the same effect as a lotus flower}
- C02F 1/441: {by reverse osmosis}
- C08K 3/22: of metals
- C08K 3/26: Carbonates; Bicarbonates
- C08K 3/36: Silica
- B01D 2313/14: Specific spacers
- B01D 2321/343: By UV radiation
- B01D 2323/345: UV-treatment
- B01D 2325/021: Pore shapes
- B01D 2325/08: Patterned membranes
- B05D 1/28: performed by transfer from the surfaces of elements carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. brushes, pads, rollers
- B05D 3/06: by exposure to radiation (B05D3/02 takes precedence {; plasma treatment B05D3/141})
- C08K 2003/2227: {of aluminium}
- C08K 2003/265: {Calcium, strontium or barium carbonate}
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)
- B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09)

## Abstract

Photocurable compositions and methods of preparation and use of such compositions. More particularly, photocurable compositions useful for forming topographical features on surfaces such as membrane surfaces. Methods of forming topographical features on a membrane surface using photocurable compositions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of forming topographical features on a membrane surface comprising:
providing a membrane comprising a membrane surface and an opposed side of the membrane;
providing a stencil or screen over the membrane surface, the stencil or screen having openings exposing the membrane surface for receiving a curable composition;
depositing one or more layers of curable composition having a Thixotropic index (TI) (cp at 1 s−1/cp at 10 s−1) from about 2 to about 15 into the stencil openings or screen openings and onto the membrane surface to form the topographical features, the openings defining an approximate shape and size of the topographical features;
exposing the opposed side of the membrane to a light source to partially cure the one or more layers of curable composition;
removing the stencil or screen to leave in place the topographical features on the membrane surface; and
fully curing the curable composition,
wherein, after removal of the stencil or screen and prior to curing, the topographical features have an aspect ratio (height/width) from about 0.5 to about 2;
wherein, after curing, the aspect ratio of the topographical features is substantially the same; and
wherein the height of the topographical feature is from about 0.025 inches to about 0.04 inches.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the topographical aspect ratio (height/width) is greater than about 0.70.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the curable composition is fully cured using a light source.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the light source produces ultraviolet or visible light.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the light source is a bulb or light emitting diode.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein a pattern of topographical features is formed on the membrane surface at speeds of about 0.5 m2/minute or greater.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising depositing additional layers of curable composition into the stencil openings or screen openings and onto the membrane surface.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the topographical features are substantially free of sharp edges after formation and removal of the stencil.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the membrane surface is a filter membrane surface.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the approximate size and shape of the topographical features and the topographical aspect ratio are substantially maintained during removal of the stencil or screen from the membrane surface prior to full cure.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the curable composition comprises:
a. a light curable component comprising a backbone selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylates, epoxies, polyisobutenes (PIB), polyurethanes (PU), polyolefins (PO), ethylvinylacetates (EVA), polyamides (PA) and combinations thereof; and a light curing moiety;
b. a cure system; and
c. a rheology modifying component present in an amount of about 2% to about 50% by weight of the total curable composition.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the rheology modifying component is selected from the group consisting of silica, silicate, alumina, asbestos, barium sulphate, calcium carbonate, calcium fluoride, carbon black, clays, diatomaceous earth, feldspar, ferromagnetics, fly ash, glass fibers, gypsum, jute fiber, kaolin, lingnocellulosics, magnesium hydroxide, mica, microcrystalline cellulose, powdered metals, quartz, starch, talc, titanium dioxide, wood flour, wood fibers, thermoplastic polymers, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the light curable composition subsequent to cure is capable of less than about 5% weight loss when submerged in a aqueous solution at a pH range of about 0.5 to about 13.5 at temperatures of from about 25° C. to about 90° C. for in a 6 week period.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the light curable component comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a urethane (meth)acrylate and a (meth)acylate.