Characterization and Properties of UV-Cured Epoxy Acrylate/POSS Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) were blenged with epoxy acrylate (EA) and photoinitiator to prepare nanocomposites through UV-curing process. The vinyl-POSS nanoparticles were added to EA by physically blending at loadings between 0% and 15wt%. Through the FTIR analysis, we found that the POSS nanocomposites didn’t affect the extent of UV curing reactions; the curing reactions were performed to be completed in all POSS containing composites. The XRD analysis convinced the existing of phase separation between EA matrix and vinyl-POSS monomer. The impact resistance and coating adhesion were all enhanced by POSS nanocomposites at low content.