Room-temperature processed epoxy-silica nanocomposite coating for improved hardness and UV protection of polycarbonate

IF 6.3 2区化学 Q1 POLYMER SCIENCE

Polymer Degradation and Stability Pub Date : 2025-03-17 DOI:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111329

Yasuhide Nakai , Yoko Teruuchi , Minoru Takeuchi , Asahiro Nagatani , Akihiro Oishi , Hideaki Hagihara , Ryota Watanabe

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Abstract

A nanocomposite coating consisting of epoxy resin and silica nanoparticles was developed using a simple in situ sol–gel process that operates efficiently near room temperature. This coating, which strongly adheres to polycarbonate (PC), doubles the hardness of PC while maintaining its transparency. Solid-state NMR confirmed the formation of a silica network through the hydrolysis and condensation of tetramethoxysilane and aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as silicon source. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a uniform dispersion of 20 nm silica nanoparticles. The APTES molecules function as cross-linkers, strengthening the matrix–filler adhesion and contributing to the reinforcement of the coating. Furthermore, the coating effectively suppressed yellowing of PC during 24 days of UV irradiation. The two-trace two-dimensional correlation mapping technique based on Fourier transform infrared microscopy showed reduced photodegradation at both the surface and deeper layers of the PC. This energy-efficient and scalable technique is promising for industrial applications.

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来源期刊

Polymer Degradation and Stability 化学-高分子科学

CiteScore

10.10

自引率

10.20%

发文量

325

审稿时长

23 days

期刊介绍： Polymer Degradation and Stability deals with the degradation reactions and their control which are a major preoccupation of practitioners of the many and diverse aspects of modern polymer technology. Deteriorative reactions occur during processing, when polymers are subjected to heat, oxygen and mechanical stress, and during the useful life of the materials when oxygen and sunlight are the most important degradative agencies. In more specialised applications, degradation may be induced by high energy radiation, ozone, atmospheric pollutants, mechanical stress, biological action, hydrolysis and many other influences. The mechanisms of these reactions and stabilisation processes must be understood if the technology and application of polymers are to continue to advance. The reporting of investigations of this kind is therefore a major function of this journal. However there are also new developments in polymer technology in which degradation processes find positive applications. For example, photodegradable plastics are now available, the recycling of polymeric products will become increasingly important, degradation and combustion studies are involved in the definition of the fire hazards which are associated with polymeric materials and the microelectronics industry is vitally dependent upon polymer degradation in the manufacture of its circuitry. Polymer properties may also be improved by processes like curing and grafting, the chemistry of which can be closely related to that which causes physical deterioration in other circumstances.