Preparation and Characterization of Hybrid Nanocomposite Coatings by Cationic UV-Curing and the Sol-Gel Process of a Vinyl Ether Based System

• Published in: Macromolecular materials and engineering Vol. 292; no. 5; pp. 634 - 640
• Main Authors: Sangermano, Marco, Amerio, Ezio, Epicoco, Paolo, Priola, Aldo, Rizza, Giancarlo, Malucelli, Giulio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 14.05.2007; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley-VCH
• Subjects: Applied sciences; cationic photopolymerization; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; hybrid organic/inorganic nanocomposites; Polymer industry, paints, wood; sol-gel process; Technology of polymers; vinyl ether monomer; Cationic copolymerization; hybrid organic/inorganic nanocomposites; Coating material; Dispersion degree; Hybrid material; Mass copolymerization; Mechanical properties; sol-gel process; Hardness; Experimental study; cationic photopolymerization; Silica; Thermal stability; Crosslinked copolymer; Alcohol copolymer; Sol gel process; Morphology; Preparation; vinyl ether monomer; Vinyl ether copolymer; Nanocomposite; Photochemical copolymerization
• ISSN: 1438-7492; 1439-2054
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.200600507

Organic/inorganic hybrid nanocomposite coatings were prepared through a dual‐cure process involving the cationic photopolymerization of a vinyl ether based system and the condensation of an alkoxysilane inorganic precursor. All formulations produced transparent cured films characterized by high gel contents. An increase in glass transition temperature and an increase in storage modulus above Tg in the rubbery plateau were observed with increasing TEOS content in the photocurable formulation. TEM micrographs showed that the organic and inorganic phases were strictly interconnected with no macroscopic phase separation; the sizes of the silica domains in the polymeric matrix were 3–5 nm.