A fluorine-containing ether compound characterized by being represented by the following formula (1):

R.sup.1—R.sup.2—CH.sub.2—R.sup.3—CH.sub.2—R.sup.4—R.sup.5  (1)

In the formula (1), R.sup.3 is a perfluoropolyether chain. R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 are divalent linkage groups having a polar group and may be the same or different. R.sup.1 and R.sup.5 are bonded to an atom other than a carbon atom of R.sup.2 or R.sup.4. R.sup.1 and R.sup.5 are terminal groups composed of an organic group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms and may be the same or different. At least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.5 is a chain organic group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of the chain organic group is substituted with a group having an amide bond.

An electrorheological fluid which comprises a dispersion medium containing fluorine atoms in an amount larger than 0 wt % but not larger than 50.0 wt % and particles for electrorheological fluid use that are contained in the dispersion medium in an amount of 10-50 vol % of the total volume of the dispersion medium and the particles, the particles comprising a sulfonic-acid-group-containing polymer having a sulfonic acid group content of 30-70 wt %.

Disclosed are materials that possess both low adhesion and the ability to absorb water. The material passively absorbs water from the atmosphere and then expels this water upon impact with debris, to create a self-cleaning layer. The lubrication reduces friction and surface adhesion of the debris (such as an insect), which may then slide off the surface. The invention provides a material comprising a continuous matrix including a polymer having a low surface energy (less than 50 mJ/m.sup.2) and a plurality of inclusions, dispersed within the matrix, each comprising a hygroscopic material. The continuous matrix and the inclusions form a lubricating surface layer in the presence of humidity. The material optionally contains porous nanostructures that inject water back onto the surface after an impact, absorbing water under pressure and then releasing water when the pressure is removed. The material may be a coating or a surface, for example.

A fluorine-containing ether compound represented by the following formula (1).
C.sub.6H.sub.6-n—[O—R.sup.1—O—CH.sub.2—R.sup.2—CH.sub.2—R.sup.3].sub.n  (1)
(in the formula (1), n is an integer of 2 or 3, R.sup.1 is any one of —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2—, —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2— and —CH.sub.2CH(OH)CH.sub.2—, R.sup.2 is a perfluoropolyether chain, R.sup.3 is —OCH.sub.2CH(OH)CH.sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.mOH (m in the formula is an integer of 2 to 4)).

An electrorheological fluid which comprises a dispersion medium containing fluorine atoms in an amount larger than 0 wt % but not larger than 50.0 wt % and particles for electrorheological fluid use that are contained in the dispersion medium in an amount of 10-50 vol % of the total volume of the dispersion medium and the particles, the particles comprising a sulfonic-acid-group-containing polymer having a sulfonic acid group content of 30-70 wt %.

A camera module includes a lens module including a lens, and a base module configured to accommodate the lens module therein. A fluorinated lubricant is disposed on a portion of at least one of the lens module and the base module, the fluorinated lubricant includes a fluorescent material capable of emitting fluorescent light when illuminated with ultraviolet (UV) light.

To provide a surface treatment agent capable of imparting excellent water/oil repellency, fingerprint stain removability, abrasion resistance and lubricity to the surface of a substrate. A surface treatment agent for a substrate, comprising a perfluoropolyether group-containing phosphate compound, a coating agent comprising the surface treatment agent and a liquid medium, and a substrate having a surface layer formed from the surface treatment agent or the coating agent.

Some variations provide a low-adhesion coating comprising a continuous matrix containing a first component, a plurality of inclusions containing a second component, and a solid-state lubricant distributed within the coating, wherein one of the first component or the second component is a low-surface-energy polymer, and the other of the first component or the second component is a hygroscopic material. The solid-state lubricant may be selected from graphite, graphene, molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, hexagonal boron nitride, or poly(tetrafluoroethylene) or other fluoropolymers. The solid-state lubricant particles may be coated with a metal selected from cadmium, lead, tin, zinc, copper, nickel, or alloys containing one or more of these metals. The solid-state lubricant is typically characterized by an average particle size from about 0.1 m to about 500 m. The solid-state lubricant is preferably distributed throughout the coating.

Provided are a fluoropolyether compound having high heat resistance and capable of maintaining a surface protection layer even under high temperature, and a lubricant and a magnetic disk that contain the fluoropolyether compound. The fluoropolyether compound includes: three groups whose main chain contains a perfluoropolyether chain; and a trivalent linking group represented by Formula (1) below, the three groups being bound together via the trivalent linking group: ##STR00001## where R.sub.1 is a saturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl group, or an amino group, and A.sub.1, A.sub.2, and A.sub.3 are each independently an aromatic group.

Provided is a compound with which a lubricant having excellent adhesion to a magnetic disk, particularly to a protective layer can be provided. A perfluoropolyether compound in accordance with one aspect of this invention has a structure in which two perfluoropolyethers are bonded to each other through an aliphatic ether, the aliphatic ether including a carbon atom to which a primary alcohol is bonded.