# US 7,611,752 B2 · Method of making a microstructured coated article

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- Number: US 7,611,752 B2
- Document ID: US7611752B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/868,014
- Filed: 2007-10-05
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 1999-02-26
- Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Inventors: Robert J. Fleming; Joseph M. McGrath; Christopher S. Lyons
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611752B2

## CPC

- B05D 1/60: {Deposition of organic layers from vapour phase (vapour phase deposition in general C23C14/00, C23C16/00)}
- B05D 3/067: {Curing or cross-linking the coating}
- B05D 3/068: {using ionising radiations (gamma, X, electrons)}
- B05D 3/147: {Curing}
- Y10T 428/24355: Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
- Y10T 428/24364: with transparent or protective coating
- Y10T 428/2438: Coated
- Y10T 428/24479: including variation in thickness
- Y10T 428/24521: with component conforming to contour of nonplanar surface
- Y10T 428/24529: and conforming component on an opposite nonplanar surface
- Y10T 428/25: Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
- Y10T 428/252: Glass or ceramic [i.e., fired or glazed clay, cement, etc.] [porcelain, quartz, etc.]
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of making a microstructured coated article, which method comprises the steps of:
(a) condensing a pre-polymer vapor comprising an organometallic species onto a microstructured surface to form a curable precursor coating; and
(b) curing the precursor coating disposed on the microstructured surface;
wherein the microstructured surface has a plurality of features that define a profile characterized by local minima and maxima, the separation between neighboring local minima and/or maxima being about 1 μm to about 1000 μm.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the organometallic species comprises a titanate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the organometallic species comprises a zirconate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the organometallic species comprises an aluminate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the organometallic species comprises a silane.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the organometallic species comprises a disilazane.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the curing step comprises heating the precursor coating.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the curing step comprises exposing the precursor coating to plasma.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the curing step comprises heating the precursor coating and exposing it to plasma.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the condensing step and curing step occur temporally together.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-polymer vapor is condensed onto a microstructured surface having chemically reactive species on its surface.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the chemically reactive species comprises water.