Fluorine-Containing Photocurable Hybrid Coatings via Anhydrous Sol-Gel Method

In this study, fluorine-doped photocurable hybrid coatings were prepared by combining UV-curing technology with an anhydrous sol-gel method. First, methacryloxymethyl triethoxysilane (MEMO) was hydrolyzed via an anhydrous sol-gel process. Then MEMO was mixed with acrylic oligomers and predetermined amounts of fluoroacrylate resin. UV curable hybrid coatings were applied on corona-treated plexi-glass substrates. The addition of fluorine showed a significant impact on the properties of the coatings. As the fluorine content was increased in the formulations, flame retardancy and the contact angle values of the coatings increased. It was found that the optical transmittance of the coatings was higher than 95%. The surface morphology of the hybrid films was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical composition of the surface of the coatings was identified by energy dispersion spectrum (SEM-EDS) technique. SEM studies indicated that inorganic particles were dispersed homogenously throughout the organic matrix. (C) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineer