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Highly transparent and scratch resistant polysiloxane coatings containing silica nanoparticles
Yongqiang Li1, Ling Zhang1, Chunzhong Li1
1Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|October 22, 2019
Summary
Modified silica nanoparticles significantly enhance polysiloxane coating scratch resistance and hardness. This method improves durability and transparency, offering potential for automotive and appliance applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Scratch resistance is crucial for polysiloxane coatings in applications demanding durability and aesthetics.
- Achieving enhanced scratch resistance without compromising transparency is a key challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the scratch resistance of polysiloxane coatings using modified silica nanoparticles (m-SiO2).
- To investigate the effect of m-SiO2 dispersion on coating properties like transparency, hardness, and stability.
Main Methods:
- In situ polymerization process to homogeneously disperse epoxy-functionalized silica nanoparticles (m-SiO2) in a polysiloxane matrix.
- Macro and nano scratch tests to evaluate critical load improvements.
- Pencil hardness, nanoindentation (HIT), transmittance, thermal stability, and abrasion resistance tests were conducted.
Main Results:
- Polysiloxane coatings with 0.75 wt% m-SiO2 showed a 66.7% (macro) and 73.3% (nano) increase in critical scratch load compared to pure coatings.
- The nanocomposite coating maintained high transparency (91% transmittance) and achieved an 8H pencil hardness.
- Hardness (HIT) increased by 58.3%, with enhanced thermal stability and abrasion resistance.
Conclusions:
- Homogeneous dispersion of m-SiO2 via in situ polymerization is an effective strategy to reinforce polysiloxane coatings.
- The developed nanocomposite coatings offer superior scratch resistance, hardness, and stability with minimal impact on transparency.
- This facile and eco-friendly method presents a promising approach for high-performance coatings in automotive and appliance industries.
