Hybrid thin films derived from UV-curable acrylate-modified waterborne polyurethane and monodispersed colloidal silica

Abstract

Abstract. Hybrid thin films containing nano-sized inorganic domains were synthesized from UV-curable acrylate-modified waterborne polyurethane (WPU-AC) and monodispersed colloidal silica with coupling agent. The coupling agent, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MSMA), was bonded onto colloidal silica first, and then mixed with WPU-AC to form a precursor solution. This precursor was spin coated, dried and UV-cured to generate the hybrid films. The silica content in the hybrid thin films was varied from 0 to 30 wt%. Experimental results showed the aggregation of silica particles in the hybrid films. Thus, the silica domain in the hybrid films was varied from 30 to 50 nm by the different ratios of MSMAsilica to WPU-AC. The prepared hybrid films from the crosslinked WPU-AC/MSMA-silica showed much better thermal stability and mechanical properties than pure WPU-AC.

Multifunctional Luminescent Down‐Shifting Fluoropolymer Coatings: A Straightforward Strategy to Improve the UV‐Light Harvesting Ability and Long‐Term Outdoor Stability of Organic Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

“…A three‐stage thermal degradation behavior can be clearly observed, with a first weight loss of about 10–15% occurring in the 150–250 °C, which may be ascribed to cleavage of the urethane bonds . The second major weight loss (60%) is found in the 250–450 °C temperature range that may be due to the decomposition of ether and ester linkages and to chain scission reactions, which are known to occur in acrylate polymers via a free‐radical mechanism upon heating in air. Finally, the third weight‐loss peak observed above 450 °C indicates the complete de‐crosslinking and thermal degradation of the polymer.…”

UV-curable waterborne polyurethane coatings: A state-of-the-art and recent advances review

“…Compared to other inorganic nanofillers, silica nanoparticles have been widely used due to their high hardness, relatively low refractive index, and commercial availability. These nanoparticles can be found as colloidal silica [65,147], aqueous silica sol [88], precipitated or fumed silica [42,152], nano-silica generated by the sol-gel method [93]. Silica has a silanol group on its surface, capable of interacting by hydrogen-bonding with the carbonyl group of the soft segments and urethane groups of the hard segment of PU [123].…”

Polymer electrolyte developed from natural rubber‐polyacrylic acid co trimethoxysilyl propyl methacrylate grafted fumed silica and its application to dye sensitized solar cell

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