Novel ormocers and nanomers for coatings

Abstract

Nanoparticles produced by a microemulsion for a controlled growth precipitation technique (ZrO2, AlOOH) have been surface modified and incorporated into inorganic/organic composite matrices made from epoxy or methacryloxy silanes. For this reason, the nanopowders have been surface modified with carboxylic acids in order to obtain full dispersibility necessary for high optical quality coatings. ZrO2 was used for obtaining high refractive index coatings. By adjusting an appropriate zeta-potential the particles in a not fully cross-linked matrix have been upconcentrated electrophoretically to obtain graded index optical lenses. Methacryloxy grouping containing particles have been used for the preparation of UV curable hard coatings containing particles have been used for the preparation of UV curable hard coatings containing AlOOH. siO2 and TiO2 particles allow the fabrication of antireflective hard coatings on plastic surfaces by UV curing methods.