Preparation and characterization of hybrid nanocomposite coatings by cationic UV-curing and the sol-gel process of a vinyl ether based system

Organic/inorganic hybrid nanocomposite coatings were prepared through a dual-cure process involving the cationic photopolymerization of a vinyl ether based system and the condensation of an alkoxysilane inorganic precursor. All formulations produced transparent cured films characterized by high gel contents. An increase in glass transition temperature and an increase in storage modulus above T_g in the rubbery plateau were observed with increasing TEOS content in the photocurable formulation. TEM micrographs showed that the organic and inorganic phases were strictly interconnected with no macroscopic phase separation; the sizes of the silica domains in the polymeric matrix were 3-5 nm.