Synthesis of three novel silane-based carboxylic acids for application in methacrylated epoxy-based oligomers and their ability in the UV curable hybrid coatings

Hamid Javaherian Naghash (  [email protected] ) Majid Kolahdoozan Islamic Azad University Niloufar Ranjbar Islamic Azad University

Original Research Full Papers

Keywords: Silane based acids, Hybrid sol–gel coatings, UV curing, MEK rubbing test, Siliconated/methacrylated soybean oil

Posted Date: February 9th, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-193633/v1

License:   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Read Full License Synthesis of three novel silane-based carboxylic acids for application in methacrylated epoxy-based oligomers and their ability in the UV curable hybrid coatings

Niloufar Ranjbar, Majid Kolahdoozan and Hamid Javaherian

Naghash*

Department of Chemistry, Branch, Islamic Azad University,

P.O. Box 311- 86145, Shahreza, , I. R. , Tel. No. 0321-

3292507, Fax No. 0321-3232701- 2, E-mail: Javaherian @ iaush.ac.ir

*To whom correspondence should be addressed

1 1 ABSTRACT

In this study, bromoacetic acid was reacted with 3-(mercaptopropyl) trimethoxy

silane (MPTS) and trimethoxy silyl propyl thioacetic acid (TSTA) was produced. Also,

bromoacetic acid was reacted with 3-(triethoxysilyl) propylamine (APTS), and

triethoxysilyl propylamino acetic acid (TSPA) was synthesized. Finally, from a reaction

between trimellitic anhydride (TMA) and APTS, trimellitylimidopropyl triethoxysilane

(TMIS) resulted. In all reactions mentioned above, a carboxylic acid head and a trialkoxy

silane tail including reactants were obtained. Furthermore, hybrid coatings based on

methacrylated bisphenol A epoxy (MBAE) and synthesized carboxylic acids were obtained by photopolymerization. Polycarbonate substrates were utilized for preparation of transparent hybrid films. Then, the solvent resistance, hardness, gel content as well as the adhesion of coatings were measured as physical and mechanical properties. According to the obtained results, these properties of hybrid coatings improved with the increase in

alkoxysilanes and sol–gel precursor contents. The surface morphology was characterized

by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that silica particles were not

dispersed homogenously at the molecular level in the hybrid system. Also, the

thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that alkoxysilanes enhanced the thermal

oxidative stability of the hybrid coatings.

Keywords: Silane based acids; Hybrid sol–gel coatings; UV curing; MEK rubbing test;

Siliconated/methacrylated soybean oil.

2 2 INTRODUCTION

During the synthesis and use of paints, a considerable amount of detrimental vapors are released from organic-based raw materials [1]. Such vapors can be reduced in the coating industry by Ultraviolet (UV) curing technology [2]. UV-curable coatings compared with the traditional ways have remarkable benefits such as low energy consumption, a higher pace in the curing process and no need to a solvent [3-7]. On the other hand, renewable resources have been used in additives and adhesives industries as alternatives to crude oil [8] vegetable oil is a safe resource among them. Vegetable oil-based coatings can reduce vapor emissions and improve the degeneration capacity of paints [9]. Furthermore, vegetable oils are film formers and their combination with UV-curable technology could be an environment-friendly technique for the current paint industry problems [10-13].

Vegetable oils are composed mainly of triglycerides with multiple fatty acid chains including 14-20 carbon atoms with some functional groups such as double bonds and epoxy groups [14]. Double bonds are cross-linkage by mechanism of self-oxidizing due to the oxygen-sensitivity of this functional group 15-17]. Although, Self-oxidation is a time taking process therefore driers are used to fasten the curing rate. Grafting acrylate fractions with more active double bonds or any other effective groups such as siloxanes etc. to improve material properties is an advantage of double bonds in vegetable oils 18-24]. A typical methacrylated vegetable oil oligomer is methacrylated epoxidized soybean oil

(MESO) generally attained by the ring opening reaction of methacrylic acid with epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) for preparing UV-curable coatings. A polymer with similar properties to report petroleum-based composition from acrylated epoxidized soybean oil

(AESO), curing with a rosin-based acrylamide was prepared by Shang and coworkers [25].

3 3 Also, Qiu et al [26]. developed an AESO-based resin without styrene with an improved fiber/matrix interface adhesion. Their study demonstrated that AESO was preferable as a modifier to the epoxy resin because of its good mechanical properties [27].

Additionally, paint compositions incorporating silicone monomers have attracted

special attention due to some of their properties such as excellent flexibility, low surface

energy and very good thermal stability [28-31]. According to the Isin and co-workers the

Si atoms of silicone containing macromolecules which arranged in the backbone or pendant

groups present these properties to matrix [32].

In the present study, our basic goal was better understanding the effect of excess

amount of silanes on the hybrid coatings in the presence of TEOS and sol gel method. For

this purpose, firstly, three novel silane based carboxylic acids were prepared to introduce

alkoxysilanes moieties in the epoxy chains by ring opening reactions. Accordingly, ESO

was reacted with equal amounts of silane based carboxylic acids and methacrylic acid.

Epoxy resin was also reacted with methacrylic acid. TEOS was hydrolyzed in the presence

of water and ethanol and coreacted with 3-methacryloxypropyltrimetoxysilane (TSPM).

The UV induced polymerization was used to cure organic–inorganic hybrid coatings. The

structural characteristics of silane based carboxylic acids were analyzed by Fourier

transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as well

as FT-IR for hybrid materials. Thermal properties of hybrid coatings were performed by

DSC and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques.

4 4 Experimental

Materials

Trimellitic anhydride (TMA), Bromoacetic acid, Methacrylic acid, Triphenyl

phosphine (TPP), p-Toluene sulfonic acid, Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), (3-

Mercaptopropyl) trimethoxy silane (MPTS), 3-(Triethoxysilyl) propylamine (APTS), 3-

Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (TSPM), Trimetylolpropane triacrylate (TMPA),

Ethanol, Hydroquinone, Triethylamine (TEA) and Tetrahydrofuran (THF) were purchased from Merck Chemical Co., Germany and were used as received. Bisphenol A epoxy resin

(DER-351, epoxide content 5.50–5.90 mol/kg) was supplied by Dow Chemical.

Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO, epoxide content 4.20 mol/kg) was purchased from Aladdin

Industrial Co., China. The photoinitiator Phenylbis (2, 4, 6 trimethylbenzoyl) phophine oxide (PTBP) was provided from Sigma Aldrich. The substrates used in this work were polycarbonate panels (3 mm×50 mm×100 mm) and were obtained from Isfahan province,

Iran.

Characterization

The FT-IR spectra were recorded with the help of a Nicolet Impact 400D Model spectrophotometer (Nicolet Impact, Madison, USA) in the spectral range between 4000 and 400 cm-1 characterized by FT-IR. NMR Spectra were recorded on a Bruker 400 MHz

NMR Spectrometer (USA). Chemical shifts were reported in ppm and referenced to residual solvent resonances (1H, 13C) or an internal standard. DSC thermograms were taken on a Mettler TA 4000 Model apparatus at a heating rate of 10 °C/min. TGA measurements of copolymers were carried out by a Dupont TGA 951 under nitrogen atmosphere at a heating rate of 10 °C/min. Scanning electron micrographs were taken on a JEOL-JXA 840

5 5 A SEM (JEOL, Boston, USA). The specimens were prepared for SEM by freeze-fracturing

in liquid nitrogen and the application of a gold coating of approximately 300 Ao with an

Edwards S 150 B sputter coater.

To better understand the physical and chemical properties of cross-linked films, some polycarbonate panels were used for applying the coating formulations using an applicator and cured in a bench type UV processor (Dadkhah electronic Isfahan-Iran,

120W/cm, λmax = 365 nm, medium pressure mercury UV lamps). In addition, Soxhlet extraction method was used for determination of gel contents of the UV cured hybrid films.

Accordingly, insoluble gel fraction was dried in a vacuum oven at 60 °C to constant weight and then weighed to estimate the gel content using the following equation: Gel content (%)

= (Wf/Wi)×100 where, Wf indicates the final weight after extraction and Wi indicates the

initial weight of the hybrid films, respectively. The corresponding standard test methods of

paints were used to measure the coating performance. The MEK rub test (ASTM D-5402),

tape adhesion (ASTM D-3359) and pencil hardness (ASTM D-3363) are the most favorite

methods mentioned above

Synthesis of trimethoxysilyl propyl thioacetic acid (TSTA)

1.40 g (10 mmol) bromoacetic acid and 25 mL dehydrated THF were charged into

a 100 mL three necked round bottom flask equipped with a dropping funnel, a reflux

condenser and a nitrogen inlet. The acid and THF were stirred strongly until a homogenous

mixture were obtained. Then, 2g (10 mmol) MPTS was diluted by a 5 mL THF and added

drop-wise to the mixture. This mixture was stirred magnetically at reflux temperature for

24 hrs. under nitrogen atmosphere. 3-5 drops of TEA was used as acid scavenger and a

viscous liquid was collected as a condensation reaction result. The THF was removed using

6 6 a rotary vacuum evaporator and the product was concentrated. For further purification of

this yellow powder, it was dissolved in dry ethyl acetate and then was precipitated in n-

hexane. These techniques of dissolution and precipitation were repeated two times. The

result was a pure white powder which was then dried in a vacuum oven. The reaction path

and chemical structure of TSTA is given in Scheme 1 and Fig. 1, respectively.

O O

TEA, THF, N2 BrCH2C OH + (H3CO)3Si(CH2)3SH (H3CO)3Si(CH2)3SCH2C OH -HBr , 60 C

Scheme 1. Synthesis of trimethoxysilyl propyl thioacetic acid (TSTA)

Preparation of triethoxysilyl propyl aminoacetic acid (TSPA)

A mixture of 0.63g bromoacetic acid, 15g of THF, 1g 3-(Triethoxysilyl)

propylamine (APTES) and 1 mL of TEA were placed into a three necked round bottom

flux and mixed under nitrogen until the mixture refluxed gently with a stirring mechanism.

A temperature of 60 to 65 °C was automatically adjusted and the reaction time was 24 hrs.

Subsequently, the product was concentrated to remove the solvent THF using a rotary

vacuum evaporator; the result was a yellow viscous liquid sample. Then, the sample was

dissolved in absolute ethanol, and 10 mL of hexane was added for precipitation.

Furthermore, the solution was filtrated and white powder was obtained. The above

procedures of dissolution and filtration were repeated two times. At last, the pure white

powder was obtained and dried in a vacuum. The reaction path and structure are shown in

Scheme 2 and Fig. 2.

O O TEA, THF, N2 BrCH2C OH + (H5C2O)3Si(CH2)3NH2 (H5C2O)3Si(CH2)3NHCH2C OH -HBr , 60 C

Scheme 2. Preparation of triethoxysilyl propyl aminoacetic acid (TSPA)

7 7 Synthesis of triethoxysilyl propyl trimellytilimide (TMIS)

Into a 100 mL three necked round bottom reaction vessel fitted with a stirrer, a

reflux condenser, a nitrogen gas inlet tube and a dropping funnel were placed 0.5g of TMA,

20g of THF and 0.56g of APTS. This mixture was stirred magnetically at reflux

temperature for 24 hrs. under nitrogen atmosphere. 3-5 drops of TEA was used as acid

scavenger and a viscous liquid was collected as a condensation reaction result. The THF

was removed using a rotary vacuum evaporator and the product was concentrated. For

further purification of this white powder, it was dissolved in dry ethyl acetate and then was

precipitated in n-hexane. These techniques of dissolution and precipitation were repeated two times. Finally, the pure white powder resulted which was then dried in a vacuum oven.

The reaction path and chemical structure of TMIS are given in Scheme 3 and Fig. 3.

O O C ° HO THF, CaCl, 60 C O + (C2H5O)3Si(CH2)3NH2 -H2O O O

N (CH2)3Si(OC2H5)3 HO C O O

Scheme 3. Synthesis of triethoxysilyl propyl trimellytilimide (TMIS)

Preparation of bisphenol A epoxy methacrylate oligomer (BAEM)

The BAEM oligomer was synthesized according to Kahraman and coworkers as

follows [33]: 50g bisphenol A epoxy resin, 0.05g hydroquinone as a radical scavenger and

8 8 0.5g triphenyl phosphine as a catalyst were added into a 250 mL three-necked round bottom reaction vessel equipped with a dropping funnel, a mechanical stirrer and a nitrogen inlet.

Before the addition of epoxy resin to the vessel, it was heated to attain lower viscosity for easier handling. To form a homogenous compound, the contents of the reactor were strongly stirred at 450 rpm. Firstly, a green and next a yellowish product resulted.

Subsequently, the temperature was elevated to 40 °C and 24.2 mL of methacrylic acid was added into the vessel drop-wise. This content was stirred for five hrs. at 150 rpm in the temperature of 85 °C under nitrogen atmosphere. A viscous compound with golden color was obtained. The reaction path is given in Scheme 4. The chemical structure of BAEM oligomer was demonstrated by FT-IR spectroscopy. To shorten the manuscript, the Fig. is not shown.

CH O 3 H2C CH2 H O O C OH C H2C H2C CH 2 CH3 O 85TPP, O

C, 4h

O O

H2 H2 CH H2 H2 H2C C C C 3 C C C CH2 C O CH O O CH O C H H OH CH3 OH

Scheme 4. Preparation of bisphenol A epoxy methacrylate oligomer (BAEM)

Methacrylated soybean oil preparation (MSO)

The MSO was prepared according to Ref. 33. Briefly, 0.25g triphenyl phosphine and 25g epoxidized soybean oil were put into a 100 mL three-necked round bottom flask.

9 9 This reaction vessel was equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a dropping funnel and a nitrogen inlet. To forma a homogenous mixture, the two components mentioned above were stirred at room temperature with 450 rpm. Later, to prevent acrylic’s double bonds polymerization, 0.025g of hydroquinone was added into the flask and stirred at 450 rpm for 10 mins at 40 °C. Finally, 36.30 mL of methacrylic acid was charged into the vessel drop-wise. This mixture was stirred at 85 °C for five hrs. with 150 rpm under nitrogen atmosphere. A yellow color viscous product resulted. The reaction path is given in Scheme

5 and the MSO structure was studied by FT-IR analysis and was not added to Fig. captions.

10

Scheme 5. Methacrylated soybean oil preparation (MSO)

Synthesis of siliconated/methacrylated soybean oil (SMSO)

A 250 mL three-necked round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a dropping funnel and a nitrogen inlet was charged with 5g epoxidized soybean oil and 0.05 g triphenyl phosphine. All reactants were stirred vigorously until homogenous mixture was obtained. Then temperature was raised to 40 °C and 0.5 mol of each three silicone- containing carboxylic acids TSTA, TMIS, and/or TSPA were added into flask drop-wise.

The reaction mixture was stirred at 80 °C for 1 h. When the temperature decreased to 40

°C, 0.01g hydroquinone was charged into flask and then 7.2 mL of methacrylic acid was added into the flask drop-wise. The reaction mixture was stirred at 85 °C further 4 hrs. under nitrogen atmosphere. A clear, viscous product was obtained. As a silicone containing carboxylic acid, triethoxysilyl propyl aminoacetic acid (TSPA) is chosen as an example and shown in Scheme 6. The other two silicones containing carboxylic acids TSTA and

11 TMIS have the same schemes as scheme 6. In addition, the chemical structure of SMSO was indicated by FT-IR spectroscopy technique, and was omitted from Fig. captions.

O OH

(H5C2O)3Si(CH2)3NHCH2COH + H2C C C O CH3

Scheme 6. Synthesis of siliconated/methacrylated soybean oil (SMSO)

12 TEOS Prehydrolysis

For the prehydrolysis of TEOS, 3.9g (216.6 mmol) water, 6 mL ethanol and 15g

(72 mmol) TEOS homogeneously were mixed. In addition, 0.15g p-toluene sulfonic acid

as catalyst was added to the mixture at 20 °C. The ratio of water/silicone is calculated as r

= 3 when the mixture was stirred overnight and allowed to warm to room temperature. The

reaction path is given in Scheme 7.

Scheme 7. TEOS Prehydrolysis

Synthesis of hybrid coatings

The similar formulations of UV curable hybrid coatings in the absence and in the

presence of TSTA, TSPA and TMIS were applied. Also, in these experiments, the equal

amounts of each silicone containing carboxylic acids were used while the difference

between formulations is only the kind of silicone. As can be seen in Table 1, the hybrid

coatings were prepared by mixing BAEM 5g, SMSO 1g, TMPA 1g, pre-hydrolyzed TEOS

(0.0-1g), TSPM (0.0-0.3g) and photoinitiator PTBP 0.20g. The samples were prepared into

a 100 mL beaker with adequate stirring. Along the synthesis, the beaker content heated to

40 °C was kept under gentle vacuum for 10 min. to remove air bubbles formed during

mixing. The products were applied onto polycarbonate panels after homogenization, using

a wire gauged bar applicator obtaining a layer thickness of 30 μm. A UV processor cabinet equipped with a medium pressure mercury lamp (120 W/cm) was used for examining the hardness of the wet coatings applied by five passes. The belt had a speed about 2m/min

13 and the light dose was calculated as 720 mJ/cm2. In addition, to determine the mechanical properties, hybrid free films were synthesized by pouring the UV curable liquid formulations onto a glass mold (20 mm×50 mm×2 mm). The mixture in the mold was covered by transparent, 100 μm thick Teflon TM film before irradiation with a high-pressure

UV lamp (OSRAM, 300 W), to prevent the inhibiting effect of oxygen. To obtain

moderately controlled film thickness and smooth surface, a quartz glass plate was placed

over. Consequently, 100 μm thick free hybrid films were obtained after 240 s irradiation under UV lamp. Finally, the resulted coated panels and the free film were annealed at 60

°C 14 hrs, 70 °C 1 hr and 80 °C for 1 hr and then stored at room temperature. Via annealing, post-curing of silanol groups were performed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

FT-IR spectra of trimethoxy silyl propyl thioacetic acid (TSTA)

Fig. 1 shows the typical FT-IR spectra of (A) bromoacetic acid, (B) MPTS, and (C)

TSTA. It can be seen from Fig. 1A that there is a strong absorption peak at 3010 cm−1

which is ascribed to the vibration of O-H. The peak at 2956 cm−1 could be ascribed to the

vibration of C-H. Also, a peak is observed at 1727 cm−1 which could be ascribed to the vibration of C=O. The final peak is at 651 cm−1 which could be ascribed to the vibration of

C-Br. Fig. 1B indicates strong absorption peaks at 2941 cm−1, 2840 and 2561 cm−1 which are ascribed to the vibration of CH2, CH3, and SH in the molecule of MPTS, respectively.

There are three peaks at 1191, 1087 and 812 cm−1 which are ascribed to the vibration of Si-

C, Si-O-C, and Si-C, respectively. According to Fig. 1C, the absorption peaks at 3304 cm−1 and 2645 cm−1 could be attributed to O-H, and -S-, stretch vibration. Moreover, peaks at

1742, 1281 and 1114 cm−1 are ascribed to the vibration of C=O, Si-C, and Si-O-C,

14 respectively. From these peaks, it could be inferred that thioether group is present in the

prepared monomer which is formed during the reaction of bromoacetic acid and TSTA.

Moreover, the absence of any remarkable Br-C peak in the spectrum indicates the absence

of unreacted bromoacetic acid. It also ignores the possibility of hydrolysation reaction of

Si-O-CH3 to Si-OH.

FT-IR spectra of triethoxysilyl propylamino acetic acid (TSPA)

Fig. 2 shows the typical FT-IR spectra of (A) APTS, (B) bromoacetic acid, and (C)

TSPA. It can be seen from Fig. 2A that there are strong absorption peaks at 3375, 2940,

−1 1192, 1085 and 816 cm , which could be ascribed to the vibration of NH2, CH, Si-C, Si-

O-C, and Si-O-C2H5, respectively. Fig. 2B indicates strong absorption peaks at, 3010,

2956, 1727 and 651 cm−1 which could be ascribed to the vibration of OH, CH, C=O, and

C-Br. According to Fig. 2C, the absorption peaks at 3437, 2956, 1749 and 1075 cm−1 could be attributed to -OH and NH, CH, C=O and Si–O–C stretch vibration. Moreover, the presence of NH peak and absence of any remarkable NH2 peak in the spectrum emphasizes the formation of TSPA obviously.

FT-IR spectra of trimellitylimidopropyltriethoxysilane (TMIS)

Figure 3 illustrates the FT–IR spectra of (A) APTS, (B) TMA, and (C) TMIS, respectively. It can be seen from Figure 3(A) that there are strong absorption peaks at 3375,

−1 2940, and 2841 cm which could be ascribed to the vibration of NH2, -CH and -CH2 groups, respectively. The absorption peaks at 1192, 1085 and 816 cm−1 could be attributed to Si-C, Si-O-C, and Si-O-C2H5, stretch vibration. According to Figure 3(B), there are strong absorption peaks at 3178, 2976, 1782 and 1407 cm−1, which are ascribed to the vibration of –OH, –CH, C=O and phenyl groups. As shown in Figure 3(C), a peak appeared

15 at 3259 cm–1 which could be attributed to –OH absorption. Also, the absorption peak at

2937 cm–1 could be attributed to C–H bond vibration, the peaks at 1713, 1627 and 1033 cm–1 could be attributed to C=O, C-N and Si-O-C, respectively. In addition, the absence of

–1 –1 NH2 peak at 3375 cm and presence of a new peak at 1627 cm demonstrates the

formation of TMIS absolutely.

NMR analysis of TSTA, TSPA and TMIS

The 1H-NMR of TSTA is shown in Figure 4. It can be seen that all the relevant

peaks of this carboxylic acid could be found in this Figure. The peak at 0.0 ppm resulted

from the group of –CH3 in the chain of Si–CH3 and C–CH3 in the molecule of TSTA. The

signals of the Si–CH2 resonance were obtained at 0.5, 1.6 and 3.2 ppm, respectively. A

sharp signal is shown at 3.5 ppm belonging to Si-OCH3 bond. Also, a peak is observed at

12.4 ppm which belongs to –COOH bond in the molecule of TSTA.

Figure 5 shows the 1H-NMR spectra of TSPA. The peak at 0.0 ppm results from

the group of -CH3 in the chain of Si–CH3 in the molecule of TSPA. Also, three peaks have

been observed at 0.5, 1.3 and 2.6 ppm belonging to Si–CH2 and a signal has been obtained

at 3.2 ppm, which belongs to the –NH bond. A sharp peak could be observed at 3.6 ppm

which belongs to the NH–CH2 bond. In addition, two peaks are shown at 5 and 5.4 ppm

which belong to Si-OC2H5 bond. Moreover, the peak at 13.1 ppm resulted from the group

of COOH bond.

Figure 6 shows the 1H-NMR spectra of TMIS. The peak at 0.0 ppm results from

the group of -CH3 in the trimetheyl silane (TMS). Three peaks could be observed at 0.5,

1.6 and 4.2 ppm which belong to Si–CH2, in addition, a sharp signal was obtained at 3.8

16 ppm, which belongs to the Si-O-CH2 bond. Also, three peaks could be observed at 7.9, 8.2 and 8.3 ppm which belong to the aromatic ring, respectively.

Thermal properties

To evaluate the thermal stability of copolymers, TGA and DSC are chosen as popular techniques [34]. The thermal properties of TSTA, TSPA and TMIS modified UV curable hybrid coatings and an unmodified sample was evaluated by means of TGA/DTA and DSC under nitrogen atmosphere (Figs. 7 and 8). The unmodified hybrid coating (Fig.

7A) shows a stable situation up to 370 °C. The chemical decomposition starts after this temperature and the maximum decomposition is at around 600 °C. The TSTA modified hybrid coatings (Fig. 7B) shows a stable situation up to 385 °C. The chemical decomposition starts after this temperature and the maximum decomposition is also at around 600 °C. The same thermal behaviors were observed for TSPA and TMIS modified hybrid coatings but they show stable situations at 400 and 420 °C, respectively. Based on the results, it is concluded that the existence of silicone containing carboxylic acids moieties in the hybrid coatings causes some thermal stability. In addition, by increasing the amount of alkoxysilanes, the thermal stability also increases.

The DSC curves of the TSTA, TSPA and TMIS modified UV curable hybrid coatings and unmodified sample are shown in Fig. 8. According to Fig. 8D, the DSC curve of the unmodified hybrid coating reveals an endothermic shift around 430 °C, which corresponds to Tg. The Tg is around 428 °C, 425 °C and 410 °C for TMIS, TSPA and TSTA

modified UV curable hybrid coatings, respectively. The higher Tg for unmodified hybrid coating was interpreted as the result of the more difficult micro-Brownian motion of the stiffer chains rather than silane containing polymer chains. According to these results, it

17 could be concluded that the presence of TSTA, TSPA and/or TMIS moieties causes a

change in the thermal behavior and it particularly affects Tg.

Morphological studies by SEM

The morphology of the hybrid coatings in the presence and absence of silicone was investigated by SEM from fractured surface. Fig.9 (A-D) shows the morphology of (A) hybrid coating without silicone based carboxylic acid, (B) TSTA, (C) TSPA and (D) TMIS, respectively. According to this micrograph, Fig. 9A shows a stormy structure wile; a little fibrillar structure is observed on the fractured surface in Fig 9B. A wavy form is observed from Fig. 9C and finally Fig. 9D shows a classical fracture zone which involves a fibrillar structure. Gungor and coworkers also found the fibrillar fracturing which could be due to the structure of soybean oil-based oligomer. By increasing the amount of sol-gel content increases fiber size and gives more ordered fibers [33]. Furthermore, the absence of silicone in the hybrid coating structure causes fluctuates in the morphology; fibrillar form was changed to wavy structure. Considering the obtained results, it is worth mentioning that silica particles are not dispersed homogenously at the molecular level in the hybrid system.

Physical and mechanical properties of the hybrid film coatings

The film properties included solvent resistance, hardness, gel content and adhesion properties.

To measure the solvent resistance of coatings, the MEK rubbing test was performed. According to Table 2, after 450 double rubs, the prepared hybrid coatings were unaffected and the chemical resistance was found to be excellent for all samples due to the observed the same results (450) double rubs after three separate measurements. Almost the similar results were found in the work of Bayramoglu et al [34].

18 The measurement of hardness is a quick, reliable means of quantifying the

mechanical properties and performance of coatings. Hardness is one of the most important

parameters affecting the mechanical properties of coatings especially scratch and abrasion

resistance. Although surface smoothness, temperature and film thickness must be

controlled carefully [33], crosslink density is primer structural parameter that plays a major

role in the determination of hardness [34]. According to Jianbing et al. and also Karatas, et al [35, 36]. the coating hardness increases by increasing the sol-gel content. Whereas the condensation of silanol results in the formation of inorganic silica network [37, 38]. The resistance of coatings to scratch effects can be measured with the scratch hardness test by

pencil hardness vehicle. It is equipped with a calibrated set of drawing leads ranging from

6B (the softest) to 6H (the hardest). The pencil that does not scratch the coating is specified

as “pencil scratch hardness”. As can be seen from Table 2, the obtained results of pencil

hardness test of the hybrid coatings showed that the pencil scratch hardness of the samples

without carboxylic acid-containing alkoxysilane (TSTA, TSPA and TMIS) coatings was

4H. With the addition of carboxylic acid, the pencil scratch hardness increased to 5H.

Xiongfa Yang et al. also found a pencil hardness of 5 H for cured silicone material [39].

The gel content is an important factor and has a direct relationship with the ultimate

properties of UV-cured hybrid films [40, 41]. As shown in Table 2, the gel content of all

the films which contained TSTA, TSPA and/or TMIS was between 85 and 90% whereas

for samples without carboxylic acid-containing alkoxysilane films, this value was between

75 and 80%. The difference in the gel content could be attributed to the contribution of the

alkoxysilanes groups on the silica surface to the conversion of polymerization.

Furthermore, the high values could be ascribed to highly cross-linked coating material. It

19 is worth mentioning that the photoinitiator causes slightly yellowish color in the cured films

but they are generally transparent appearance.

The physical and chemical interactions between the coating and the substrate could

be a logical reason for adhesion. Weak adhesion means poor performance [42]. DIN 53151

standard tests were applied to determine adhesion properties of the coatings. According to

this method, adhesion is divided by the two numbers o (which represents a weak adhesion)

to 5 (which represents an acceptable adhesion). Table 2 shows that almost excellent

adhesion was observed on polycarbonate panels according to the obtained measurements

varied between 3.5 and 5. This phenomenon can be ascribed to the good interaction

between the hybrid coatings and polycarbonate panels.

Conclusions

In the present research, three novel carboxylic acid-containing alkoxysilanes have

been synthesized and used in the preparation of alkoxysilanes based hybrid coatings by

sol–gel technique. From this study, the following conclusions can be made: TSTA, TSPA

and TMIS have been prepared successfully as novel carboxylic acids with a functional

group, -COOH bond of acid. 1H-NMR and FT-IR analysis showed that TSTA, TSPA and

TMIS segments are present in the structures of silane-based acids and

siliconated/methacrylated soybean oil (SMSO). TSTA, TSPA and TMIS improve the

solvent resistance of hybrid coatings. Furthermore, the thermal stability of hybrid films is

improved by both sol–gel content and carboxylic acid-containing alkoxysilanes. The adhesion of coating onto polycarbonate panels is excellent and the surface resistance to scratch improved with TSTA, TSPA and/or TMIS enrichment in the coating.

20 Acknowledgement

This work was supported by Islamic Azad University, Shahreza Branch,

Commission of Scientific Research Project under grant Paint & Resin 2018-2884734H.

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24 Table Captions:

Table 1: Compositions of the hybrid coatings.

Table 2: Physical and mechanical characterizations of hybrid coatings on polycarbonate

panels.

Figure Captions:

Fig. 1: FT-IR spectra of (A) Bromoacetic acid, (B) MPTS and (C) TSTA.

Fig. 2: FT-IR spectra of (A) APTS, (B) Bromoacetic acid and (C) TSPA.

Fig. 3: FT-IR spectra of (A) APTS, (B) TMA and (C) TMIS.

Fig. 4: 1H-NMR spectra of TSTA.

Fig. 5: 1H-NMR spectra of TSPA.

Fig. 6: 1H-NMR spectra of TMIS.

Fig. 7: TGA/ DTG thermograms of (A) unmodified hybrid coating, (B) TSTA, (C) TSPA

and (D) TMIS modified hybrid coatings.

Fig. 8: DSC thermograms of (A) TSTA, (B) TSPA and (C) TMIS modified hybrid

coatings and (D) unmodified hybrid coating.

Fig. 9: SEM micrographs of (A) hybrid coating without silicone based carboxylic acid,

(B) with TSTA, (C) with TSPA and (D) with TMIS.

25 Figures

Figure 1

FT-IR spectra of (A) Bromoacetic acid, (B) MPTS and (C) TSTA. Figure 2

FT-IR spectra of (A) APTS, (B) Bromoacetic acid and (C) TSPA. Figure 3

FT-IR spectra of (A) APTS, (B) TMA and (C) TMIS. Figure 4

1H-NMR spectra of TSTA. Figure 5

1H-NMR spectra of TSPA.

Figure 6

1H-NMR spectra of TMIS. Figure 7

TGA/ DTG thermograms of (A) unmodied hybrid coating, (B) TSTA, (C) TSPA and (D) TMIS modied hybrid coatings. Figure 8

DSC thermograms of (A) TSTA, (B) TSPA and (C) TMIS modied hybrid coatings and (D) unmodied hybrid coating. Figure 9

SEM micrographs of (A) hybrid coating without silicone based carboxylic acid, (B) with TSTA, (C) with TSPA and (D) with TMIS.