A paint composition for forming energy saving self-cleaning coatings includes water, a binder composition, a powder catalyst composition, a first pigment composition, a second pigment composition, and a fluoropolymer-composition. The binder composition includes a first acrylic resin having an average particle size from about 0.2 to 1 micron and a glass transition temperature less than about 10° C. The powder catalyst composition includes anatase titanium dioxide with a surface area from about 50 to 500 m.sup.2/g. It should be appreciated that anatase provides catalyst activity that is useful for providing the self-cleaning properties of the present embodiment. The first pigment composition includes rutile titanium dioxide which typically has low or no catalytic activity while the second pigment composition is different than the first pigment composition. Characteristically, the fluoropolymer-containing composition includes polyvinylidene fluoride and a second acrylic resin.

A paint composition for forming energy saving self-cleaning coatings includes water, a binder composition, a powder catalyst composition, a first pigment composition, a second pigment composition, and a fluoropolymer-composition. The binder composition includes a first acrylic resin having an average particle size from about 0.2 to 1 micron and a glass transition temperature less than about 10° C. The powder catalyst composition includes anatase titanium dioxide with a surface area from about 50 to 500 m.sup.2/g. It should be appreciated that anatase provides catalyst activity that is useful for providing the self-cleaning properties of the present embodiment. The first pigment composition includes rutile titanium dioxide which typically has low or no catalytic activity while the second pigment composition is different than the first pigment composition. Characteristically, the fluoropolymer-containing composition includes polyvinylidene fluoride and a second acrylic resin.

Disclosed is a fluorine-containing oligomer comprising a copolymer of a fluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative represented by the general formula:
C.sub.nF.sub.2n+1(CH.sub.2CF.sub.2).sub.a(CF.sub.2CF.sub.2).sub.b(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.cOCOCR═CH.sub.2  [I]
wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, n is an integer of 1 to 6, a is an integer of 1 to 4; b is an integer of 0 to 3; and c is an integer of 1 to 3; and a (meth)acrylic acid derivative represented by the general formula:
(CH.sub.2═CRCO).sub.mR′  [II]
wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m is 1, 2, or 3; and when m is 1, R′ is OH group, NH.sub.2 group that is unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a monovalent group derived from an alkylene glycol or polyalkylene glycol group containing an alkylene group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms; when m is 2 or 3, R′ is a divalent or trivalent organic group derived from a diol or triol. The copolymerization reaction is performed using a hydrocarbon-based peroxide or azo compound polymerization initiator. Also disclosed are nano-silica composite particles formed as a condensate of the fluorine-containing oligomer and an alkoxysilane with nano-silica particles.

Disclosed is a fluorine-containing oligomer comprising a copolymer of a fluoroalkyl alcohol (meth)acrylic acid derivative represented by the general formula:
C.sub.nF.sub.2n+1(CH.sub.2CF.sub.2).sub.a(CF.sub.2CF.sub.2).sub.b(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.cOCOCR═CH.sub.2  [I]
wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, n is an integer of 1 to 6, a is an integer of 1 to 4; b is an integer of 0 to 3; and c is an integer of 1 to 3; and a (meth)acrylic acid derivative represented by the general formula:
(CH.sub.2═CRCO).sub.mR′  [II]
wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, m is 1, 2, or 3; and when m is 1, R′ is OH group, NH.sub.2 group that is unsubstituted or mono- or di-substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a monovalent group derived from an alkylene glycol or polyalkylene glycol group containing an alkylene group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms; when m is 2 or 3, R′ is a divalent or trivalent organic group derived from a diol or triol. The copolymerization reaction is performed using a hydrocarbon-based peroxide or azo compound polymerization initiator. Also disclosed are nano-silica composite particles formed as a condensate of the fluorine-containing oligomer and an alkoxysilane with nano-silica particles.

A method for producing hollow fine particles containing a fluorine-containing resin and having a large average particle size. The method includes a step A of providing hollow fine particles by dispersing a solution containing a fluorine-containing monomer, an oil-soluble initiator, and a non-polymerizable solvent in water containing a fluorine-containing surfactant and thereby polymerizing the fluorine-containing monomer. Also disclosed are hollow fine particles including a fluorine-containing resin and having an average particle size of 70 nm or greater and 10 μm or smaller. The hollow fine particles each have a porosity of 5% by volume or higher, and the fluorine-containing resin contains a polymerized unit based on a fluorine-containing monomer and a polymerized unit based on a crosslinkable monomer.

A method for producing hollow fine particles containing a fluorine-containing resin and having a large average particle size. The method includes a step A of providing hollow fine particles by dispersing a solution containing a fluorine-containing monomer, an oil-soluble initiator, and a non-polymerizable solvent in water containing a fluorine-containing surfactant and thereby polymerizing the fluorine-containing monomer. Also disclosed are hollow fine particles including a fluorine-containing resin and having an average particle size of 70 nm or greater and 10 μm or smaller. The hollow fine particles each have a porosity of 5% by volume or higher, and the fluorine-containing resin contains a polymerized unit based on a fluorine-containing monomer and a polymerized unit based on a crosslinkable monomer.

Provided is an optical fiber which has exceptional heat resistance and is highly safe. This optical fiber has a core, and a sheath of a least one layer around the outside circumference of the core, the sheath including a polymer that contains a repeating unit (A) derived from a fluoroalkyl (meth)acrylate having a specific structure.

Provided is an optical fiber which has exceptional heat resistance and is highly safe. This optical fiber has a core, and a sheath of a least one layer around the outside circumference of the core, the sheath including a polymer that contains a repeating unit (A) derived from a fluoroalkyl (meth)acrylate having a specific structure.

Provided is a coating technology additionally excellent in, for example, water repellency, oil repellency, and ease of dirt removal. An article having a coating on a substrate, in which the coating contains: (a) a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane; and (b) an acrylate polymer having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (II): where Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Rf represents —CH.sub.2—(CF.sub.2).sub.q—CF.sub.3 or —CH(CF.sub.3).sub.2, and q represents an integer of 0 to 8. ##STR00001##

Provided is a coating technology additionally excellent in, for example, water repellency, oil repellency, and ease of dirt removal. An article having a coating on a substrate, in which the coating contains: (a) a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane; and (b) an acrylate polymer having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (II): where Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Rf represents —CH.sub.2—(CF.sub.2).sub.q—CF.sub.3 or —CH(CF.sub.3).sub.2, and q represents an integer of 0 to 8. ##STR00001##