Surface modification of nanosilica with 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane and investigation of its effect on the properties of UV curable coatings

This paper describes surface modification of commercial nanosilica with 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and its effect on the properties of UV curable coatings. The mercapto groups were grafted onto nanosilica surface by a condensation of the surface Si–OH with the hydrolysized Si–OH of MPTMS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and particle size distribution were employed to characterize nanosilica and modified nanosilica. It was demonstrated that the mercapto groups were successfully grafted onto the nanosilica surface with the grafting ratio of 16.8% and the mercapto groups content of 0.9 mmol/g. The dispersion and self-aggregation of nanosilica in UV curable coatings were improved significantly. The photopolymerization kinetics of UV curable coatings, containing various amounts of nanosilica and modified nanosilica, were evaluated by the photo differential scanning calorimetry technique. This indicated that nanosilica both before and after modification decreased UV curing speed and ultimate percentage conversion; however, in comparison with the coatings containing unmodified nanosilica, the coatings containing modified nanosilica exhibited higher curing speeds and conversion ratios. It can be ascribed that the mercapto groups on the nanosilica surface reduced oxygen inhibition during the UV curing process via the thiol–ene click reaction. The mechanical properties of UV curable coatings were also compared.