Preparing polysiloxane-ether-urethane-acrylic hybrid emulsions
Polysiloxane-ether-urethane-acrylic hybrid emulsions were prepared by introducing different polydimethylsiloxane content into the acrylic-terminated backbone and then in situ copolymerising with methylmethacrylate and butylacrylate via emulsion process.
The effects of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on the particle size and viscoelastic behaviour of the hybrid emulsions were investigated. Meanwhile, the hydrogen bonding, mechanical and thermal mechanical properties, water resistance, surface gloss, and wettability of the resultant hybrid films were also studied.
Average particle size increases
The results showed that all the hybrid emulsions showed shear-thinning behaviours, and the introduction of PDMS resulted in the formation of the hybrid emulsions with increased average particle size and decreased viscosity. The chemical bonds built between PU and AC yielded higher than 73% cross-linking fraction in all the hybrid materials, but this value decreased with increasing PDMS content because PDMS reduced the hydrogen bonding interactions and enhanced the phase separation.
Application value in fouling-release coatings
As a result, an increase in the PDMS content led to an increase in the elongation, water resistance, surface roughness, and water hydrophobic of the films, but tensile strength, hardness, storage modulus, and glass transitions temperature decreased. It is suggested that introduction of PDMS can provide the hybrid materials with improved flexibility, water resistance, and surface hydrophobicity, which has potential application value in fouling-release coatings, biomaterials, and surface fishing.
The study is published in: Applied Polymer Science.
