UV curing of organic-inorganic hybrid coatings containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane blocks

Hybrid nanocomposite coatings were prepared by the UV-curing technique with a methacrylic oligomer and multifunctional methacrylic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane blocks (POSS®). The results obtained from the polyhedral compounds were compared with those of a disordered framework obtained by the condensation of a silica precursor (MEMO). The inorganic domains generated during synthesis created constraints in movement of polymer segments, which reflected in an increase in Tg of the hybrid nanocomposite coatings. The films were transparent. The random structure obtained by the condensation of the MEMO showed a stronger effect on Tg than that observed by introducing POSS®. The effect of inorganic domains reflected on thermal stability, surface hardness and mechanical properties of the hybrid nano-composite coatings. © 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.