Effect of nano silicon dioxide on the structure and properties of FeCl 3 ‐doped polyvinyl alcohol photopolymer film

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2019-07, Vol.136 (26)
• Main Authors: Xue, Runping, Mao, Jianzhao, Zhao, Hong, Yang, Chen, Gao, Huihui, Xu, Jianjun, Jiang, Mengjin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.47702

The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) photopolymer films (PFs) were prepared based on iron(III) trichloride as the photosensitizer and PVA as the polymer matrix (Fe(III)‐PVA). The nano silicon dioxide (nano‐SiO 2 ) was mixed with the resin in proportions of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 wt %, respectively. The iodine gallium lamp (350–450 nm) was used as a UV curing light source. The effects of nano‐SiO 2 on the structures and properties of Fe(III)‐PVA PFs were studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) analysis, ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy(UV/Vis), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic thermomechanical analysis(DMA), gel content test, tensile strength test, and Shore hardness test. The Fe(III)‐PVA PFs with the content of 1.0 wt %‐nano‐SiO 2 exhibits the highest gel content and tensile strength. The Fe(III)‐PVA PFs with the content of 2.0 wt % nano‐SiO 2 exhibits the highest Shore hardness. Photolithographic patterning of the Fe(III)‐PVA PFs using a UV source has been carried out, which leads to a good contrast behavior after development in an aqueous media when the content of nano‐SiO 2 was lower than 2.0 wt %. After evaluating the structure, performance, and development results, the Fe(III)‐PVA PFs with the content of 1.0 wt % nano‐SiO 2 exhibits the best overall properties. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 47702.