UV-cured organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposite initiated by trimethoxysilane-modified fragmental photoinitiator

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Applied science and manufacturing, 2011-06, Vol.42 (6), p.631-638
• Main Authors: Hu, Lihua, Shi, Wenfang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. Hybrid; A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); absorption; Applied sciences; B. Mechanical properties; chemical structure; Composites; esterification; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; hydrolysis; mechanical properties; nanocomposites; nanoparticles; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Polymer industry, paints, wood; polymers; scanning electron microscopy; silica; Technology of polymers; thermal stability; UV-curing
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2011.02.002

An effective approach is proposed to prepare the UV-cured organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposite (Nano-TMS) through the photopolymerization of acrylic resin initiated by trimethoxysilane-modified Irgacure 2959 (TMS-2959). The TMS-2959 as a hybrid photoinitiator was obtained by the esterification of 2-hydroxy-4′-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-methylpropiophenone (Irgacure 2959) with thioglycolic acid, following by the addition reaction with 3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (KH-560). The chemical structure was characterized by FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The oligomeric tetraethylorthosilicate (Oligo-TEOS) was prepared by hydrolysis. The TMS-2959 exhibits the similar UV absorption with Irgacure 2959. The photoinitiating activity of TMS-2959 was investigated through photo-DSC analysis in comparison with Irgacure 2959. From the SEM observation, the SiO 2 nanoparticles dispersed uniformly in the Nano-TMS film, whereas the aggregation of nanoparticles occurred in the UV-cured hybrid nanocomposite (Nano-Irg) initiated by Irgacure 2959. Compared with the UV-cured pure polymer and Nano-Irg films, the cured Nano-TMS films showed remarkable enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties.