Patent Description:
Demand for display products has expanded not only for traditional products such as TVs, monitors or notebooks, but also for mobile products such as smartphones, car navigation systems or instrument panels, and the like. For instance <CIT> discloses a silica layer with optical properties.

Among the characteristics to be considered in manufacturing the display product, there is the reflectance of the surface of the product. Usually, an optical film is introduced into the outside of a display product, and this optical film exhibits an average reflectance of about <NUM>%. This reflectance reduces the visibility of the display.

Therefore, technologies such as so-called AG (anti-glare) or AR (anti-reflection) are applied to adjust the reflectance. Among the above technologies, the AG technology affects not only reflected light but also light emitted from a display, which is not suitable from the viewpoint of visibility. On the other hand, the AR technology is difficult to enlarge due to the characteristics formed by the deposition process, etc., and the unit price is high.

The present application relates to a method for preparing a silica layer. The present application aims to provide a preparation method capable of effectively forming a silica layer having desired physical properties in a simple and efficient manner.

Throughout this specification, when any member is located on another member, this includes not only when any member is in contact with another member, but also when there is another member between the two members.

Throughout this specification, when any part comprises any component, this means that it does not exclude other components but may further comprise other components, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Throughout this specification, the description of "A and/or B" means "A or B, or A and B.

In this specification, the unit part by weight may mean a weight ratio between the respective constituents.

Among physical properties mentioned in this specification, when the measured temperature and/or pressure affects the physical property value, the relevant physical property means a physical property measured at room temperature and/or normal pressure, unless otherwise specified.

In the present application, the term room temperature is a natural temperature without warming or cooling, which may mean, for example, any temperature in a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or a temperature of <NUM> or <NUM> or so. Also, in the present application, unless otherwise specified, the unit of temperature is Celsius (°C).

In the present application, the term normal pressure is a natural pressure which is not particularly pressurized or decompressed, which may be, usually, <NUM> atmosphere or so, like atmospheric pressure.

In the present application, the term alkyl group, alkylene group or alkoxy group may mean a linear or branched alkyl group, alkylene group or alkoxy group, having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, or may mean a cyclic alkyl group, alkylene group or alkoxy group, having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, unless otherwise specified.

In the present application, the term alkenyl group may mean a linear or branched alkenyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, or may mean a cyclic alkenyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, unless otherwise specified.

In the present application, the term aryl group or arylene group may mean an aryl group or arylene group, having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, or may mean a phenyl group or a phenylene group, unless otherwise specified.

In the present application, the term epoxy group may mean a monovalent residue derived from cyclic ether having three ring constituent atoms or a compound comprising the cyclic ether, unless otherwise specified. The epoxy group may be exemplified by a glycidyl group, an epoxyalkyl group, a glycidoxyalkyl group or an alicyclic epoxy group, and the like. Here, the alicyclic epoxy group may mean a monovalent residue derived from a compound containing an aliphatic hydrocarbon ring structure and including a structure in which two carbon atoms forming the aliphatic hydrocarbon ring also form an epoxy group. As the alicyclic epoxy group, an alicyclic epoxy group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbons may be exemplified, and for example, a <NUM>,<NUM>-epoxycyclohexylethyl group and the like may be exemplified.

The alkyl group, alkylene group, alkoxy group, alkenyl group, aryl group, arylene group or epoxy group may also be optionally substituted with one or more substituents.

The present application relates to a method for preparing a silica layer or to a silica layer. In the present application, the term silica layer means a layer having a silica network as a main component.

The term silica network may mean a network of meshes or three-dimensional cage structures consisting of siloxane linkages (-Si-O-Si-) or comprising the same. In one example, the silica network may be a condensate of alkoxysilane to be described below. The silica network may comprise, for example, units of the following formula A and/or B, or may consist of such units. Here, the fact that the silica network consists of units of the following formula A and/or B means that the silica network contains only units of the following formula A and/or units of the following formula B.

[Formula B]      SiO<NUM>/<NUM>L<NUM>/<NUM>.

In Formulas A and B, R is hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, an epoxy group or a (meth)acryloyloxyalkyl group, n is <NUM> or <NUM>, and L is a divalent linking group of any one selected from the group consisting of a linear, branched or cyclic alkylene group and an arylene group, or a combination of two or more thereof.

In Formula B, as the linear or branched alkylene group, a linear or branched alkylene group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms may be exemplified, and as the cyclic alkylene group, a cyclic alkylene group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms may be exemplified.

In Formula B, the fact that L is a divalent linking group of any one selected from the group consisting of a linear, branched or cyclic alkylene group and an arylene group, or a combination of two or more thereof means that L is the above-mentioned alkylene group or arylene group, or forms a divalent linking group in combination of two or more selected from them.

In Formula A, the right subscript of the oxygen atom means the number of siloxane linkages formed by one silicon atom in the silica network. For example, when n is <NUM>, Formula A is represented by SiO<NUM>/<NUM>, which means that one silicon atom is connected to four oxygen atoms to form four siloxane linkages. Since the siloxane linkage is formed by sharing one oxygen atom by two silicon atoms, the right subscript <NUM>/<NUM> of the oxygen atom in Formula means that four oxygen atoms are bonded to one silicon atom and each oxygen atom is boned to another silicon atom. Such a network can be formed, for example, by using a tetrafunctional silane such as tetraalkoxysilane as a raw material in a preparation method to be described below. Similarly, when n is <NUM>, Formula A is represented by RSiO<NUM>/<NUM>, which means a form that one silicon atom is connected to three oxygen atoms to form three siloxane linkages and R as a functional group is attached to the silicon atom. Such a network can be formed, for example, by using a trifunctional silane such as trialkoxysilane as a raw material in a preparation method to be described below.

Formula B means that one silicon atom is connected to three oxygen atoms, and the three oxygen atoms are each connected to another silicon atom to form three siloxane linkages and simultaneously the silicon atom is connected to another silicon atom via L to form a -Si -L-Si- linkage. Such a network can be formed, for example, by using a compound having a structure in which two trialkoxysilyl groups are connected by a divalent linking group, such as <NUM>,<NUM>-bis (triethoxysilane) ethane, as a raw material in a preparation method to be described below.

The silica network of the silica layer of the present application may be composed of any one of the units of Formula A or B, or a combination of two or more of the above units. In this case, as the unit of Formula A, any one of the unit in which n is <NUM> and the unit in which n is <NUM> may be used, or both of the two units may be used.

On the other hand, the fact that the silica network is included as a main component in the silica layer may mean a case where the ratio of the silica network in the silica layer is, for example, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, or <NUM> wt% or more as a weight ratio. The ratio of the silica network in the silica layer may be <NUM> wt% or lee, or less than <NUM> wt%.

The preparation method of the present application may be a method for producing a porous silica layer. Thus, in one example, pores may be present inside the silica layer. The shape of the pores present in this silica layer is not particularly limited, but a silica layer in which so-called mesoporous type pores are present can be produced by the present application. This silica layer can be used for various applications. In one example, the silica layer may be applied to form a layer that controls reflectance, for example, a low reflection layer. In the present application, the disadvantages that conventional low reflection layers have not overcome can be overcome and a low reflection layer having improved physical properties can be produced. Therefore, in one example, the preparation method of the present application may be a preparation method of a low reflection layer.

Usually, in order to form a low reflection layer, a coating layer with a low refractive index using a fluorine-based polymer or a layer that hollow silica particles are introduced therein has been applied. However, when the fluorine-based polymer is applied, physical properties such as mechanical strength of the membrane deteriorate, and it is difficult to secure the minimum required surface hardness. Furthermore, in the method using the hollow silica particles, there is a disadvantage that the hollow silica particles are eliminated from the membrane in a use process or a durability evaluation process, and the preparation method thereof is complicated.

However, the silica layer produced in the present application has appropriate refractive index characteristics capable of exhibiting a low reflection effect and simultaneously exhibits appropriate physical strength, and also has no problem of eliminating hollow silica particles.

In particular, according to the present application, such a silica layer can be simply produced without expensive equipment or complicated processes, and high temperature treatment is not required during the process. Therefore, according to the method of the present application, such a silica layer can be directly formed on the surface of a material having poor heat resistance such as a polymer film, if necessary. Therefore, according to the method of the present application, the silica layer can be formed directly on an optical film.

On the other hand, the silica layer may comprise nitrogen or phosphorus atoms together with the silica network. The inventors have confirmed that in forming a silica layer, a porous silica layer having the above-mentioned characteristics can be formed even in a low-temperature process by applying a method known as a so-called sol-gel process, but applying a specific catalyst and if necessary, controlling process conditions. This method is completely different from, for example, the method of applying silazane, which is usually known to form a high-density silica layer, or the method of performing gelation at a high temperature, resulting in a different membrane quality.

For example, the silica layer may comprise nitrogen atoms which are components derived from the specific catalyst, together with the silica network.

For example, the silica layer formed by the method using silazane, which is one of the methods of forming a silica layer, contains nitrogen atoms derived from silazane, but the relevant nitrogen atoms exist in a form bonded to silicon atoms. That is, the silica layer formed by the method applying silazane comprises linkages (Si-N) of silicon atoms and nitrogen atoms. However, the nitrogen atoms in the silica layer of the present application do not exist in this state, and thus the silica layer or the silica network of the present application does not contain the linkage (Si-N) of the silicon atom and the nitrogen atom. On the other hand, the silica layer obtained through the high-temperature gelation process does not contain nitrogen atoms or the like as well.

In one example, the nitrogen atoms contained in the silica layer may be nitrogen atoms contained in a specific amine compound, or imidazole compound, which is a Lewis base, or derived therefrom. That is, the amine compound is used as a catalyst in a silica layer formation process to be described below, and thus nitrogen atoms may be contained in this amine compound or derived therefrom.

Here, the fact that the nitrogen atoms have been derived from an amine compound as a catalyst may mean that when the amine compound is modified into another kind of compound while performing a catalytic action, the relevant nitrogen atom is contained in the modified compound.

The amine compound used in the claimed process has a pKa of <NUM> or less. In another example, the pKa may be <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less or about <NUM> or less or so, or may be about <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more or so.

The amine compound may have a boiling point in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>. In another example, the boiling point may be <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, or <NUM> or higher, or may be <NUM>,<NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, or <NUM> or lower or so.

In one example, the catalyst may be an anhydride having a boiling point in the above range. Such a catalyst can effectively perform a gelation process, which is described below, to form a silica network having a dense cross-linked structure. In one example, the catalyst may be a liquid phase anhydride having a boiling point in the above range.

The amine compound may have a flash point of <NUM> or higher. In another examples, the flash point may be <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, or <NUM> or higher, or may be <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, or <NUM> or less or so.

The amine compound may have a normal temperature vapor pressure of <NUM>,<NUM> Pa or less. In another examples, the normal temperature vapor pressure may be <NUM>,000Pa or less, <NUM>,000Pa or less, <NUM>,000Pa or less, <NUM>,000Pa or less, <NUM>,000Pa or less, <NUM>,000Pa or less, <NUM>,000Pa or less, <NUM>,000Pa or less, <NUM>,000Pa or less, 900Pa or less, 800Pa or less, 700Pa or less, 600Pa or less, 500Pa or less, 400Pa or less, 300Pa or less, 200Pa or less, 100Pa or less, 90Pa or less, 80Pa or less, 70Pa or less, 60Pa or less, 50Pa or less, 40Pa or less, 30Pa or less, 20Pa or less, 10Pa or less, <NUM> or less, 8Pa or less, 7Pa or less, 6Pa or less, 5Pa or less, 4Pa or less, 3Pa or less, 2Pa or less, 1Pa or less, <NUM>. 9Pa or less, <NUM>. 8Pa or less, <NUM>. 7Pa or less, <NUM>. 6Pa or less, <NUM>. 5Pa or less, <NUM>. 4Pa or less, <NUM>. 3Pa or less, <NUM>. 2Pa or less, <NUM>. 1Pa or less, <NUM>. 09Pa or less, <NUM>. 08Pa or less, <NUM>. 07Pa or less, <NUM>. 06Pa or less, <NUM>. 05Pa or less, <NUM>. 04Pa or less, <NUM>. 03Pa or less, <NUM>. 02Pa or less, <NUM>. 01Pa or less, <NUM>. 009Pa or less, <NUM>. 008Pa or less, <NUM>. 007Pa or less, <NUM>. 006Pa or less, <NUM>. 005Pa or less, <NUM>. 004Pa or less, or <NUM>. 003Pa or less, or may be <NUM>. 0001Pa or more, <NUM>. 0002Pa or more, <NUM>. 0003Pa or more, <NUM>. 0004Pa or more, <NUM>. 0005Pa or more, <NUM>. 0006Pa or more, <NUM>. 0007Pa or more, <NUM>. 0008Pa or more, <NUM>. 0009Pa or more, <NUM>. 001Pa or more, <NUM>. 0015Pa or more, or <NUM>. 002Pa or more or so.

By applying an amine compound using the claimed process and having the characteristics as described above, a silica layer having desired physical properties can be effectively obtained. The amine compound having such physical properties has secondary advantages that it is thermally stable, has a low risk of fire, and has low odor and explosion risk due to low vapor pressure.

The amine compound can be used without particular limitation as long as it has the above-mentioned characteristics.

According to the invention, as the amine compound, a compound represented by any one of the following formulas <NUM> to <NUM> is used.

In Formulas <NUM> to <NUM>, R<NUM> to R<NUM> may be each independently hydrogen or an alkyl group. On the other hand, in Formula <NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> may be each present in one or two or more, and when present in two or more, each of R<NUM> and R<NUM> may be the same or different.

In Formulas <NUM> to <NUM>, the alkyl group may be a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, or having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms.

The amine compound may also be, for example, any one compound of the following formulas <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. <CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>.

In Formula <NUM>-<NUM> above, C<NUM>H<NUM> is a linear octyl group.

In a suitable example, the amine compound may be a compound wherein in Formula <NUM>, R<NUM> to R<NUM> are alkyl groups. Here, the alkyl group may be a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, or having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms.

In the present application, the ratio of the nitrogen atoms contained in the silica layer is not particularly limited. That is, as already described, the nitrogen or phosphorus atoms may be derived from the material used as the catalyst in the production process, and in this case, the ratio of nitrogen or phosphorus atoms may be determined according to the amount of the used catalyst.

In one example, the ratio of the nitrogen atoms contained in the silica layer may be in a range of <NUM> to <NUM> wt%. The ratio may be about <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, <NUM> wt% or more or so, or <NUM> wt% or more or so, or may also be <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM>% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, <NUM> wt% or less or so, or <NUM> wt% or less or so.

The ratio of nitrogen atoms as mentioned above may be a ratio of nitrogen atoms derived from the above-mentioned catalyst.

Such a ratio of nitrogen atoms can be measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The method is based on a photoelectric effect and performs the analysis by measuring the kinetic energy of electrons emitted by the photoelectric effect due to the interaction of a surface with high energy light. The binding energy can be measured by emitting core electrons of an element of an analytical sample using X-rays as a light source, and measuring kinetic energy of the emitted electrons. The elements constituting the sample can be identified by analyzing the measured binding energy, and information on the chemical bonding state and the like can be obtained through chemical shift. For example, after a silica layer is formed on a silicon wafer to an appropriate thickness (for example, about <NUM> to <NUM>), the ratio of nitrogen or phosphorus atoms can be measured in the above manner. In this case, the specific kind of the applied measuring equipment is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of the measurement of the photoelectron spectroscopy.

The silica layer may also further comprise other necessary components optionally in addition to those described above. An example of such a component may be exemplified by (nano) particles such as silica, ceria, titania and/or zirconia, fluorine-based or silicon-based slip agents and/or drying retarders, and the like, but is not limited thereto. These additives may be optionally added in consideration of the purpose, and the specific kinds and ratios thereof may be adjusted depending on the purpose.

Such a silica layer may have an appropriate thickness depending on the intended physical properties. For example, the thickness of the silica layer may be in a range of approximately <NUM> to <NUM>. In another example, the thickness may be <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, <NUM> or more, or <NUM> or more, or may be <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, or <NUM> or less.

The thickness of the silica layer of the present application can be controlled depending on the application. For example, when the silica layer is applied as a low reflection layer, the thickness can be determined in a range that the light reflected from the surface of the optical member (for example, an optical film) to which the silica layer is applied and the light reflected from the silica layer can be exhausted by a destructive interference phenomenon or the like. Therefore, such a thickness can be adjusted in consideration of the surface reflectance of the applied optical member and the like.

The silica layer can be produced using a precursor layer formed of a precursor composition comprising a silica precursor and an acid catalyst.

According to the invention, the preparation method comprises for gelation a step of contacting the precursor layer with a Lewis base. At this time, as the Lewis base, the amine compound (compounds of Formulas <NUM> to <NUM>) as described above may be used.

In the present application, the term precursor composition is a raw material of a so-called sol-gel method or an intermediate product during processing the sol-gel method, which may mean a composition comprising a silica sol as a condensate of a condensing silane compound. Thus, the silica precursor may be a composition comprising a silica precursor, and the silica precursor may mean a condensing silane compound, which is the applied raw material, and/or a silica sol formed by condensation of the condensing silane compound.

The precursor composition of the present application may be a composition obtained by treating a composition comprising a silane compound as a raw material with an acid catalyst. Thus, the precursor composition may have a pH of at least <NUM> or less. When the condensation reaction of the raw material is performed using a catalyst so as to have a pH in the above-mentioned range, it is effective to form a silica layer having desired physical properties in a subsequent process. In another example, the pH may be <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, or <NUM> or less or so, or may be <NUM> or more, more than <NUM>, <NUM> or more, or about <NUM> or more or so.

The silica precursor may comprise a condensing silane compound as a raw material, a hydrolysate of the condensing silane compound and/or a condensation reaction product of the condensing silane compound.

At this time, as the silane compound which is a raw material, for example, a compound of the following formula D or E may be used.

[Formula D]     SiR<NUM>(<NUM>-n)(OR<NUM>)n.

In Formula D, R<NUM> is the same as the definition for R in Formula A, R<NUM> may be an alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, an aryl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, and the like, and n is <NUM> or <NUM>.

Here, the alkyl group may be a linear or branched alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, and may also be optionally substituted with one or more substituents. The alkyl group may be, for example, a methyl group or an ethyl group.

The alkyl group, alkoxy group or aryl group may be optionally substituted, and in this case, the substituent includes a glycidyl group, a halogen atom, an alicyclic epoxy group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, an acryloyloxy group or methacryloyloxy grou, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

In Formula E, L is the same as L in Formula B as described above. In one example, L may be an alkylene group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, or may be a divalent linking group of Formula B above. In the Formula E, R<NUM> to R<NUM> are each independently an alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, an aryl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom. Here, the alkylene group may be a linear or branched alkylene group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, and may also be optionally substituted with one or more substituents. The alkylene group may be, for example, a methylene group or an ethylene group. Also, in Formula E, the alkyl group may be a linear or branched alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, and may also be optionally substituted with one or more substituents. The alkyl group may be, for example, a methyl group or an ethyl group. Here, the alkoxy may be a linear or branched alkoxy group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, and may also be optionally substituted with one or more substituents. The alkoxy may be, for example, a methoxy group or an ethoxy group. Here, the aryl group may be an aryl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms or a phenyl group, and the like.

The precursor composition may comprise the aforementioned silica precursor (i.e., the silane compound as the raw material, its hydrolyzate and/or its condensate, and the like), for example, in a range of about <NUM> to <NUM> wt%. In another example, the ratio may be about <NUM>% or more, <NUM>% or more, <NUM>% or more, <NUM>% or more, <NUM>% or more, <NUM>% or more, <NUM>% or more, <NUM>% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM>% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, <NUM> wt% or more, or <NUM> wt% or more, or may also be about <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, <NUM> wt% or less, or <NUM> wt% or less or so.

In one example, the ratio of the silica precursor may be a percentage value obtained by calculating the amount of the solid content to be confirmed after drying and dewatering processes with respect to the precursor composition in relation to the amount of the precursor composition before the drying and dewatering. In one example, the drying process may proceed at about <NUM> for about <NUM> hour or so, and the dewatering process may proceed at about <NUM> for about <NUM> hours. In another example, the ratio of the silica precursor may be the amount of the silane compound applied to the preparation of the precursor composition, or may also be a value obtained on the basis of a calculation result of calculating the amount that the applied silane compound reacts at <NUM>% and solates.

Therefore, hereinafter, upon defining the ratio between the components of the precursor composition mentioned in this specification, the ratio or weight of the silica precursor may be based on the ratio or weight of the remaining components after the drying and dewatering processes, or may be based on the amount of the silane compound applied to the preparation of the composition or the amount that the applied silane compound reacts at <NUM>% and solates.

By controlling the ratio of the silica precursor in the precursor composition as above, the viscosity of the precursor composition can be appropriately controlled and the handling property upon coating can be appropriately maintained. In addition, the drying time can be shorten during the process, stains capable of occurring in the silica layer can be prevented, and the thickness of the silica layer can also be maintained uniformly.

The method of maintaining the content of the silica precursor within the above-mentioned range is not particularly limited, and the content can be achieved by controlling the kind of the applied catalyst or the process time in the solation process, and other process conditions.

The precursor composition may be a composition derived using an acid catalyst. For example, the precursor composition can be formed by bringing the silane compound into contact with an appropriate acid catalyst to perform the solation. The kind of the acid catalyst to be applied in the above process and the ratio thereof are not particularly limited and those which can induce a suitable condensation reaction and can secure the pH in the above-mentioned range can be used.

The acid catalyst may be exemplified by one or a mixture of two or more selected from hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, fluorosulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, hexafluorophosphoric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

The amount of the acid catalyst used for forming the precursor composition is not particularly limited, which may be controlled so that the pH in the above-mentioned range and/or the content of the silica precursor may be ensured.

In one example, the acid catalyst may be used such that the precursor composition comprises <NUM> to <NUM> parts by weight of the acid catalyst relative to <NUM> parts by weight of the silica precursor. In another example, the ratio may be <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> part by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more, or may also be <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less or so.

The precursor composition may further comprise optional components in addition to the above components. For example, the precursor composition may further comprise a solvent.

In this case, the precursor composition can be prepared by adding the acid catalyst to a mixture comprising the solvent and the silane compound as a raw material.

As the solvent, for example, a solvent having a boiling point in a range of about <NUM> to <NUM> may be used. Such a solvent may be exemplified by an aqueous solvent such as water or an organic solvent, where the organic solvent may be exemplified by an alcohol, ketone or acetate solvent, and the like. An example of the alcohol solvent may be exemplified by ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, i-propyl alcohol, i-butyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol and/or t-butyl alcohol, and the like; the ketone solvent may be exemplified by acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, dimethyl ketone, methyl isopropyl ketone and/or acetyl acetone, and the like; and the acetate solvent may be exemplified by methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate and/or butyl acetate, without being limited thereto.

In one example, the composition may comprise a mixed solvent of the aqueous solvent and the organic solvent, where water is used as the aqueous solvent, and the alcohol, ketone and/or acetate solvent as described above may be used as the organic solvent, without being limited thereto.

The amount of the solvent in the precursor composition is not particularly limited, but for example, a solvent having the number of moles about <NUM> to <NUM> times the number of moles of the silane compound used as the raw material may be used.

In one example, the precursor composition may comprise a solvent in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> parts by weight relative to <NUM> parts by weight of the silica precursor. In another embodiment, the ratio may be <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, or <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, or may also be <NUM>,<NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM>,<NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM>,<NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM>,<NUM> parts by weight or less or so.

When a mixture of an aqueous solvent and an organic solvent is applied as the solvent, the aqueous solvent may be used in an amount of about <NUM> to <NUM> parts by weight or so relative to <NUM> parts by weight of the organic solvent, but is not limited thereto. In another example, the ratio may be about <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more or <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, or <NUM> parts by weight or more or so, or may also be about <NUM> parts by weight or less or so, <NUM> parts by weight or less or so, <NUM> parts by weight or less or so, <NUM> parts by weight or less or so, or about <NUM> parts by weight or less or so.

The precursor composition may also comprise the above-described latent base generator. In this case, the specific type of the latent base generators that can be included is as described above.

When the latent base generator is included, the ratio may be about <NUM> to <NUM> parts by weight or so relative to <NUM> parts by weight of the silica precursor. In another example, the ratio of the latent base generator may be approximately <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> part by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, <NUM> parts by weight or more, or <NUM> parts by weight or more, or may also be <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, <NUM> parts by weight or less, or <NUM> parts by weight or less or so.

The precursor composition further comprises a surfactant. Such a surfactant forms so-called micelles in the precursor composition, where these micelles can form the aforementioned pores in the silica layer. Such a surfactant may be added before or after the above-mentioned acid catalyst, or may be added at the same time as the acid catalyst, and the order of addition thereof is not particularly limited.

The micelles may be formed in such a precursor composition, where the micelles may form pores of the silica layer. The surfactant may uniformly and regularly form the micelles in the precursor composition.

As the surfactant, an appropriate kind of general anionic, cationic or nonionic surfactants can be selected and used without particular limitation.

Here, as the anionic surfactant, one or two or more selected from the group consisting of potassium laurate, triethanolamine stearate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, lithium dodecyl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, alkyl polyoxyethylene sulfate, sodium alginate, dioctyl sodium sulforsuccinate, phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidic acid and its salts, glyceryl ester, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, bile acid and its salts, cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, glycocholic acid, taurocholic acid, glucodeoxycholic acid, alkyl sulfonate, aryl sulfonate, alkyl phosphate, alkyl phosphonate, stearic acid and its salts, calcium stearate, phosphate, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, dialkyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinate, phospholipids and calcium carboxymethylcellulose may be used.

As the cationic surfactant, one or two or more selected from the group consisting of a quaternary ammonium compound, benzalkonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, chitosan, lauryldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, acylcarnitine hydrochloride, alkylpyridinium halide, cetylpyridinium chloride, a cationic lipid, polymethylmethacrylate trimethylammonium bromide, a sulfonium compound, polyvinylpyrrolidone-<NUM>-dimethylaminoethylmetharcylate dimethyl sulfate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, a phosphonium compound, benzyl-di(<NUM>-chloroethyl)ethylamminium bromide, coconut trimethyl ammonium chloride, coconut trimethyl ammonium bromide, coconut methyl dihydroxyethyl ammonium chloride, coconut methyl dihydroxyethyl ammonium bromide, decyl triethyl ammonium chloride, decyl dimethylhydroxyethyl ammonium chloride bromide, C12-<NUM>-dimethylhydroxyethylammonium chloride, C12-<NUM>-dimethylhydroxyethylammonium chloride bromide, coconut dimethylhydroxyethylammonium chloride, coconut dimethylhydroxyethylammonium bromide, myristyltrimethylammonium methylsulfate, lauryl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, lauryl dimethyl benzyl ammonium bromide, lauryldimethyl (ethenoxy)<NUM> ammonium chloride, lauryl dimethyl (ethenoxy)<NUM> ammonium bromide, N-alkyl (C12-<NUM>)dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, N-alkyl (C12-<NUM>)dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, N-alkyl (C14-<NUM>)dimethyl-benzyl ammonium chloride, N-tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride monohydrate, dimethyldecylammonium chloride, N-alkyl (C12-<NUM>) dimethyl <NUM>-naphthylmethylammonium chloride, trimethylammonium halide alkyl-trimethylammonium salts, dialkyl-dimethylammonium salts, lauryl trimethylammonium chloride, ethoxylated alkylamidoalkyldialkylammonium salts, ethoxylated trialkylammonium salts, dialkylbenzene dialkylammonium chloride, N-didecyldimethylammonium chloride, N-tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride monohydrate, N-alkyl(C12-<NUM>) dimethyl <NUM>-naphthylmethylammonium chloride, dodecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, dialkylbenzenealkylammonium chloride, lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, alkylbenzylmethylammonium chloride, alkylbenzyldimethylammonium bromide, C12 trimethylammonium bromide, C15 trimethyl ammonium bromide, C17 trimethyl ammonium bromide, dodecylbenzyl triethyl ammonium chloride, polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyldimethylammonium halogenide, tricetylmethylammonium chloride, decyltrimethylammonium bromide, dodecyltriethylammonium bromide, tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, methyltrioctylammonium chloride, POLYQUAT <NUM>, tetrabutylammonium bromide, benzyltrimethylammonium bromide, choline ester, benzalkonium chloride, stearalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium bromide, cetylpyridinium chloride, halide salts of quaternized polyoxyethylalkylamine, "MIRAPOL" (polyquaternium-<NUM>), "Alkaquat" (alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, produced by Rhodia), alkylpyridinium salts, amines, amine salts, imidazolinium salts, protonated quaternary acrylamides, methylated quaternary polymers, and cationic guar gum, benzalkonium chloride, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, triethanolamine and poloxamne may be used.

As the nonionic surfactant, one or two or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ether, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene castor oil derivatives, sorbitan ester, glyceryl esters, glycerol monostearate, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol ester, cetyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, arylalkyl polyether alcohol, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene copolymers, poloxamer, poloxamine, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, amorphous cellulose, polysaccharides, starch, starch derivatives, hydroxyethyl starch, polyvinyl alcohol, triethanolamine stearate, amine oxide, dextran, glycerol, acacia gum, cholesterol, tragacanth and polyvinylpyrrolidone may be used.

As the nonionic surfactant, a block copolymer of polypropylene oxide (PPO) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) may also be used.

In one example, as the surfactant, an anionic surfactant and/or a cationic surfactant may be used, and in this case, micelles having smaller diameter may be formed.

In another example, as the surfactant, a nonionic surfactant containing only carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) may be used. In this case, there is an advantage that the burden on post-treatment and environmental pollution is small because residues due to cations or anions are not generated.

The surfactant may be used in such a ratio that the micelles can be formed at a desired level in the precursor composition, and in one example, about <NUM> moles to <NUM> moles of the surfactant per mole of the silane compound, which is a raw material, or the silica precursor can be used.

In another example, the concentration of the surfactant can be controlled within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> times the critical micelle concentration (CMC) for the solvent applied to the precursor composition. An appropriate amount of micelles can be formed in the silica layer or the precursor layer by setting the concentration of the surfactant at least <NUM> time the critical micelle concentration and the physical properties of the silica layer can be maintained excellent by setting it at most <NUM> times the critical micelle concentration to minimize or prevent the amount of residual surfactant.

In another example, the surfactant may be in the range of <NUM> parts by weight to <NUM> parts by weight relative to <NUM> parts by weight of the silica precursor, and in another example, it may be in the range of <NUM> parts by weight to <NUM> parts by weight. In this range, the desired level of refractive index can be realized and the strength of the silica layer can be stably maintained.

For example, the refractive index (based on a wavelength of <NUM>) of the final silica layer can be controlled to a level within a range of approximately <NUM> to <NUM> through the content of the surfactant as described above, and this refractive index can realize low reflectance through destructive interference of light or the like on an optical base material having a refractive index of approximately <NUM> or so (based on a wavelength of <NUM>).

However, the content range and the refractive index range are one example of the present application, and the relevant content or refractive index may be changed in consideration of the intended use or the like.

The precursor composition may comprise various additives, if necessary, in addition to the above-mentioned components, and examples thereof may include the same components as those exemplified as optional components of the silica layer.

However, in the case where the precursor composition does not contain the latent base generator and accordingly, a contact process with a Lewis base to be described below is performed, the precursor composition may comprise only the above-mentioned acid catalyst as the catalyst and may not comprise other base catalysts. That is, the precursor layer in contact with the Lewis base may comprise only the above-mentioned acid catalyst as the catalyst and may not comprise any base catalyst.

The precursor composition may be prepared, for example, through a process of contacting the silane compound with an acid catalyst and/or a process of adding a surfactant. In one example, the precursor composition may be prepared by mixing the solvent and the silane compound to prepare a silica precursor dispersion liquid and then adding an acid catalyst to the dispersion liquid, followed by adding a surfactant. In addition, if necessary, the above-mentioned latent base generator may be further compounded at an appropriate time.

Here, the types of the applied silane compound, solvent, acid catalyst and surfactant, and the like are the same as described above, and their ratios can also be adjusted according to the above-mentioned ranges. Here, the addition of the acid catalyst and/or the latent base generator may also be performed by adding only the acid catalyst and/or the latent base generator itself to the dispersion liquid or by a method of mixing the acid catalyst and/or the latent base generator with a suitable solvent and then adding the mixture.

The step of forming the precursor composition may be performed so that the composition has a pH of <NUM> or less, as described above.

The step of forming the precursor composition through contact between the silane compound and the acid catalyst as described above and adding the surfactant may be performed at a temperature of <NUM> or lower. For example, the step may be performed at a temperature of approximately room temperature to <NUM> or lower.

In the present application, the precursor composition as described above is brought to gelation to form a silica layer.

According to the invention, the gelation is performed by contacting the precursor layer an amine as claimed. This gelation process can proceed on a base material. In this case, the base material may be a suitable process base material or any one functional layer selected from the group consisting of an organic film, a high-refraction layer, a hard coating layer and an antireflection layer, which are described below; a polarizing film, a protective film of a polarizing film, a luminance enhancement film, a retardation film, a display panel or a touch panel, and the like.

This gelation process may also be performed after molding the precursor composition into an appropriate shape as necessary.

For example, a step of applying the precursor composition onto a suitable base material to form a precursor layer may be performed prior to the gelation process. Here, the application may be performed in a known manner such as bar coating, comma coating, lip coating, spin coating, dip coating and/or gravure coating.

Here, the type of the base material on which the precursor layer is formed is not particularly limited, which may be an appropriate process base material or optical film. In the method of the present application, a desired silica layer can be formed without high-temperature treatment, and thus a silica layer can be directly formed on an optical film usually made of a polymer material having poor heat resistance, or the like. The kind of the optical film as the base material is not particularly limited, which may be, for example, a polarizing film, a protective film of a polarizing film, a luminance enhancement film and/or a retardation film. Furthermore, in another example, the base material may also be a display panel or a touch panel.

In one example, the base material may be an optical film having on one side at least one functional layer of a high-refraction layer, a hard coating layer and an antireflection layer. Specifically, the silica layer may be formed on the functional layer of the base material.

In one example, the base material may be a polymer film, and may be, for example, a base material in which a film, such as a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film, a PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) film, a PEEK (polyether ether ketone) film and a PI (polyimide) film, exists in the form of a single layer or a multilayer.

In addition, as the polymer film, for example, a TAC (triacetyl cellulose) film; a COP (cycloolefin copolymer) films such as norbornene derivatives; an acrylic film such as PMMA (poly(methyl methacrylate); a PC (polycarbonate) film; a PE (polyethylene) film; a PP (polypropylene) film; a PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) film; a DAC (diacetyl cellulose) film; a Pac (polyacrylate) film,; a PES (polyether ether sulfone) film, a PEI (polyetherimide) film; a PEN (polyethylene naphthatate) film; a PET (polyethylene terephtalate) film; a PI (polyimide) film; a PSF (polysulfone) film; a PAR (polyarylate) film or a fluororesin film, and the like can also be applied.

If necessary, the base material may also be subjected to suitable surface treatment.

The base material may also be an optically functional film such as a suitable functional film, for example, a retardation film, a polarizing film, a luminance enhancement film, or a high-refraction or low-refraction film, if necessary.

In the above process, the thickness of the coating, that is, the thickness of the precursor layer is determined depending on the thickness of the desired silica layer, which is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be applied in a thickness of approximately <NUM> to <NUM>.

If necessary, in the process of forming the precursor layer, additional treatment such as drying may be performed after application of the precursor composition. For example, a step of drying the applied precursor composition to remove some or all of the solvent can be performed. The drying process may be performed at a temperature of, for example, approximately <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, or <NUM> or lower. In another example, the temperature in the drying step may be approximately <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, or <NUM> or higher. According to one example, the drying step may be performed at a temperature of approximately <NUM> or lower. In another example, the drying step may be performed at approximately <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, or <NUM> or higher, or may also be performed at about <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, or <NUM> or lower or so. In addition, the drying time can be adjusted in a range of approximately <NUM> seconds to <NUM> hour, and the time may also be <NUM> minutes or less, <NUM> minutes or less, <NUM> minutes or less, <NUM> minutes or less, <NUM> minutes or less, <NUM> minutes or less, <NUM> minutes or less, <NUM> minutes or less, <NUM> minutes or less, <NUM> minutes or less, <NUM> minutes or less, <NUM> minutes or less, or <NUM> minutes or less or so.

In the process, if necessary, an appropriate pretreatment may also optionally be performed on the precursor layer. For example, the precursor composition and/or the precursor layer may also be subjected to a surface modification process, such as plasma treatment, or the like. At this time, the plasma treatment may be atmospheric plasma treatment, which may be performed by a direct method or an indirect method. This plasma treatment can help improve the strength of the silica layer.

According to the invention, the gelation process is performed through a step of contacting the precursor layer with an amine compound, which is the above-described amine, as claimed, being a Lewis base.

The term Lewis base means a material capable of giving non-covalent electron pairs, as is known. In the present application, the above-mentioned specific precursor composition or precursor layer is brought into contact with a Lewis base and brought to gelation to form a silica layer, whereby the silica layer having desired physical properties can be formed even at a low temperature.

The method of bringing the precursor layer into contact with the Lewis base is not particularly limited. For example, a method of immersing the precursor layer in the Lewis base, or coating, spraying and/or dropping the Lewis base on the precursor layer, and the like can be applied.

As the Lewis base, an amine compound having the pKa, boiling point, flash point and/or normal temperature vapor pressure as described above may be used as long as it is according to the claims.

Such an amine compound may be in a liquid phase at a temperature of <NUM> or <NUM> or lower. That is, the amine compound may also be applied as itself or may be mixed with an aqueous solvent, such as water, or an organic solvent, and applied. For example, when the compound is in a solid phase at a temperature of <NUM> or lower, it can be dissolved in an aqueous or organic solvent and used. Here, the usable organic solvent may be exemplified by one or more of N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethyl-<NUM>-imidazolidinone, N,N-diethylacetamide (DEAc), N,N-dimethylmethoxyacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide, pyridine, dimethylsulfone, hexamethylphosphoramide, tetramethylurea, N-methylcaprolactam, tetrahydrofurane, m-dioxane, p-dioxane, <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethoxyethane, bis(<NUM>-methoxyethyl)ether, <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-(methoxyethoxy)ethane, bis[<NUM>-(<NUM>-methoxyethoxy)]ether, poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and equamide (Equamide M100, Idemitsu Kosan), but is not limited thereto.

As described above, the Lewis base is brought into contact with the above-mentioned specific precursor layer to perform gelation, whereby the silica layer having desired physical properties can be effectively obtained.

That is, the gelation or curing reaction of the precursor layer can be induced by the contact with the Lewis base.

Such gelation or curing can proceed even at a low temperature condition and can proceed effectively without any special treatment to form a silica layer having desired physical properties. In one example, the gelation or curing reaction, that is, the contact with the Lewis base, can be performed at a low temperature, for example at about <NUM> or less or so. In one example, the contact may also be performed at <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, or <NUM> or lower and may also be performed at <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM>, or <NUM> or higher or so.

Such gelation or curing may be performed for an appropriate time, and for example, may be performed for approximately <NUM> minute to <NUM> minutes or <NUM> minutes to <NUM> minutes or so, but is not limited thereto.

In the present application, after forming the silica layer in this manner, another additional process such as an optional cleaning process may also be performed.

For example, following the gelation step, a process of removing the residual surfactant may also be performed. The method for performing the above step is not particularly limited, and for example, the above step can be performed by a method of washing the silica layer with a suitable aqueous solvent (water, etc.) and/or an organic solvent. In one example, the step of removing the residual surfactant may be performed using ultrasonic cleaning with an aqueous solvent (water, etc.) and/or an organic solvent, where the process temperature may be adjusted by a method of washing it while heating an aqueous solvent (water, etc.) and/or an organic solvent at a temperature within approximately <NUM>.

In the case of obtaining a low refractive index, the removal can be performed using an organic solvent, for example, an alcohol, a ketone solvent or an acetate solvent. Accordingly, the desired refractive index can be more effectively achieved. In this case, an example of the alcohol solvent can be exemplified by ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, i-propyl alcohol, i-butyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol and/or t-butyl alcohol, and the like; the ketone solvent can be exemplified by acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, dimethyl ketone, methyl isopropyl ketone and/or acetyl acetone, and the like; and the acetate solvent can be exemplified by methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate and/or butyl acetate, and the like, without being limited thereto.

The temperature of the washing process is not particularly limited. For example, the process may be performed at a temperature within the range of approximately <NUM> to <NUM>. In another example, the temperature may be about <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, or <NUM> or higher, or may be <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, <NUM> or lower, or <NUM> or lower.

Also, the washing time is not limited, which can be performed, for example, for about <NUM> to <NUM> hours. In another example, the time may be about <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, <NUM> hours or more, or <NUM> hours or more, or may also be <NUM> hours or less, <NUM> hours or less, <NUM> hours or less, <NUM> hours or less, <NUM> hours or less, <NUM> hours or less, <NUM> hours or less, or <NUM> hours or less.

In the method of the present application, all processes can proceed to low-temperature processes. That is, all processes of the present application can be performed under a temperature of the low-temperature process to be described below. In the present application, the term low-temperature process means a process having a process temperature of about <NUM> or lower, about <NUM> or lower, about <NUM> or lower, about <NUM> or lower, about <NUM> or lower, or about <NUM> or lower. In the production process of the silica layer of the present application, all the processes can be performed in the above temperature range.

In the present application, since a silica layer having desired physical properties, for example, a high-density and high-hardness silica layer can be effectively formed even by the low-temperature process as described above, for example, a large amount of silica layers having desired physical properties can be formed by a continuous and inexpensive process, and the silica layer can also be effectively formed directly even on a base material which is weak against heat, such as a polymer film. The lower limit of the process temperature in the low-temperature process is not particularly limited, and for example, the low-temperature process may be performed at about <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, <NUM> or higher, or <NUM> or higher.

Such a production process of the silica layer of the present application can be effectively performed even in a continuous process by a so-called roll to roll process or the like.

In addition, the silica layer of the present application has an appropriate refractive index characteristic by the pores contained therein, and thus, it can be effectively used for applications of, for example, a low reflection layer and the like.

The present application also relates to a laminate comprising the silica layer. The laminate may comprise, for example, the silica layer and an organic film in contact with the silica layer. Here, the silica layer may be formed directly on the organic film, and therefore, any kind of layer may not exist between the silica layer and the organic film. At this time, the type of the applied organic film is not particularly limited, which may be, for example, a functional layer known as a high-refraction layer, a hard coating layer or an antireflection layer, and the like, or an optical film in which the functional layer is optionally formed on the surface, a polarizing film, a protective film of a polarizing film, a luminance enhancement film and/or a retardation film, or other polymer films, or a display panel or a touch panel, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

The present application can provide a method capable of easily forming a silica layer, in which pores are formed inside and optical characteristics including a refractive index and the like are appropriately controlled, as a membrane having a silica network as a main component, through a simple process at a low temperature without using expensive equipment.

Hereinafter, the scope of the present application will be described in more detail by way of examples, but the scope of the present application is not limited by the following examples.

The steel wool resistance was evaluated by rubbing the following formed silica layer with a steel wool while keeping it at a temperature of <NUM> and <NUM>% relative humidity. In the evaluation process, the evaluation was progressed while gradually increasing the load until defects such as scratches were visually observed, and the load was described as the evaluation result. Here, as the steel wool, a steel wool of grade #<NUM> sold by Briwax of Europe was used.

After laminating the formed silica layer on a PET (poly(ethylene terephthalate) film, the reflectance was evaluated based on light having a wavelength of <NUM> using a measuring instrument (spectrophotometer, Konica-Minolta, CM-2600D) at a temperature of <NUM> and <NUM>% relative humidity.

TEOS (tetraethoxy silane) was mixed with ethanol (EtOH) as a solvent and stirred for <NUM> minutes or so. Subsequently, the catalyst solution in which distilled water (H<NUM>O) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) were mixed was slowly dropped to the mixture over approximately <NUM> minutes and stirred. After dropping, the mixture was further stirred for approximately <NUM> hours without separate cooling or constant temperature maintenance. After stirring, the pH was at a level of approximately <NUM> to <NUM>. Here, the ratio of the mixed components was approximately <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM> (weight ratio: distilled water: TEOS: ethanol: hydrochloric acid) or so.

When the content of silica solids in the mixture is calculated assuming that the entire added TEOS is <NUM>% reacted, it may be calculated to be about <NUM> wt% or so. The obtained mixture was mixed with CTAB (cetyl triammonium bromide, C16; Aldrich) as a surfactant at a ratio of <NUM> parts by weight relative to <NUM> parts by weight of the calculated solid content to obtain a precursor composition.

Thereafter, the precursor composition was applied on a glass base material to a thickness of approximately <NUM> or so by a bar coating method and dried in an oven at <NUM> or so for <NUM> minute or so to form a precursor layer.

The obtained precursor layer was immersed in trioctylamine (TOA) at about <NUM> for <NUM> minutes or so to form a silica layer having a thickness of about <NUM>. The formed silica layer was washed with running water at about <NUM> or so for <NUM> minutes or so and dried in an oven at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes or so, and then the reflectance (Reflectance <NUM> in Table <NUM> below) was measured, and for removing the residual surfactant, it was washed using <NUM> ethanol for <NUM> hour, and then the reflectance was measured again (Reflectance <NUM> in Table <NUM> below). The physical property evaluation results of the formed silica layer were summarized in Table <NUM> below.

A silica layer was produced in the same manner as in Example <NUM>, except that the kind and ratio of the surfactant were controlled as shown in Table <NUM> below, and the results were also summarized in Table <NUM> below.

A silica layer was produced in the same manner as in Example <NUM>, except that the kind and ratio of the surfactant, the thickness of the silica layer and the cleaning conditions of the surfactant were controlled as shown in Table <NUM> below, and the results were summarized in Table <NUM> below.

Claim 1:
A method for preparing a silica layer comprising a step of bringing a precursor layer formed of a precursor composition comprising a silica precursor, an acid catalyst and a surfactant to gelation,
wherein the gelation is performed by contacting the precursor layer with an amine compound having a pKa of <NUM> or less, and
wherein, as the amine compound, a compound represented by any one of the following formulas <NUM> to <NUM> is used:
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
in Formulas <NUM> to <NUM>, R<NUM> to R<NUM> is each independently an alkyl group, in Formula <NUM>, R<NUM> and R<NUM> are each present in one or two or more, and when present in two or more, each of R<NUM> and R<NUM> are the same or different, and the alkyl group is a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms.