Project's information

Project's title Research on manufacturing technology for scratch-resistant, hydrophobic coatings, and materials for military optical instruments
Project’s code TĐANQP.03/20-22
Research hosting institution Center for High Technology Development
Project leader’s name Dr. Nguyen Tuan Hong
Project duration 01/01/2020 - 31/12/2022
Project’s budget 8,812 million VND
Classify Excellent
Goal and objectives of the project

- Manufacturing materials to create scratch-resistant and hydrophobic coatings for optical instruments to meet national defense needs.
- Establishing technology to coat scratch-resistant and hydrophobic coatings for military optical instruments.

Main results

Theoretical results:
- The scratch-resistant additives have been studied and the nano-silica dispersed in the organosilica matrix, PMHS was selected. Nano-silica was preferredly functionalized by CTMS 10% agent for 2 hours.
- The project has developed the technology process to manufacture scratch-resistant, hydrophobic materials and corresponding coatings for optical instruments. The resulting product was a mixed solution of nano-silica dispersed in PMHS/Petroleum ether. 
- The project has developed the relevant coating technique applied for the nano-silica dispersed in PMHS/Petroleum ether solution. Those techniques can be categorized as manual coating (general optical glass) and spin coating (flat and optical glass).
- The product, nano-silica dispersed in PMHS/Petroleum ether solution, has been tested in the Z199 military factory. The test showed that the resulting coating on the optical glass had good quality in terms of scratch-resistant (8H on the pencil scale), hydrophobic (contact angle of 110°), and optical transmittance of 99%. The coated optical lenses functioned well, on par with the original lenses.

Applied results:
- The project has manufactured the nano-silica dispersed in PMHS/Petroleum ether solution which can be able to coat optical glass in military optical instruments. The coating film enhances the scratch-resistant and hydrophobic capabilities and meets demanding standards in optics.
- The product can be widely applied to other glass products in civil industries.

Novelty and actuality and scientific meaningfulness of the results

- The project has developed the process to include scratch-resistant additives which were based on the functionalized nano-silica particles into organosilica solvents. 
- The nano-silica dispersed in PMHS/Petroleum ether solution can be well coated on optical glass and produce the coating films which concurrently have scratch-resistance, hydrophobic, and transmittant properties.
- The nano-silica dispersed in PMHS/Petroleum ether solution can be manufactured on a large scale and usable for as long as 12 months.

Products of the project

10.1. Scientific papers in referred journals (list):
- Lê Minh Tri, Nguyen Đinh Dung, Vu Duy Dat, Nguyen The Huu, Vu Trong Phuc, Nguyen Van Tu, Phan Ngoc Hong, Nguyen Tuan Hong, “Synthesis of spherical SiO2 nanoparticles for hydrophobic optical coating”, Journal of Military Science and Technology Research 77, 93-97 (2022).
- Pham Thi Mai Hương, Nguyen Van Manh, Dao Xuan Phuc, Nguyen Trung Toan, Do Nhat Minh, Nguyen Xuan An, Dang Thanh Binh, Nguyen Tuan Hong, “Functionalization of SiO2 nanoparticles using alkylsilane for hydrophobic optical coating”, Journal of Military Science and Technology Research 78, 108-113 (2022).
10.2. Patents (list):
01 Patent: Method of manufacturing hydrophobic nano-SiO2 materials (IPO Vietnam accepted a valid application under Decision No. 11560w/QD-SHTT dated 7/11/2022).
10.3. Technological products (describe in detail: technical characteristics, place):
- Other products (if applicable):
+ Technological process for manufacturing nano-silica dispersed in PMHS/Petroleum ether solution which produces scratch-resistant, hydrophobic coating for optical glass;
+ Technological process of coating optical glass using nano-silica dispersed in PMHS/Petroleum ether solution
+ Test reports
+ Project report.

Recommendations - X23-Z199 Optical factory (Ministry of Defense);
- Glass industry.
Images of project
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