Reversible tuning of UV-cured nano hybrid coating from hydrophobic to superhydrophilic

Herein, we report photochemical preparation of functional nano hybrid coating and tuning surface properties with the very small addition of POSS compound to the hydrophobic monomer system. 2-(Carboxymethoxy) thioxanthone and aminopmpylisobutyl-POSS were used as the photoinitiating formulation in equimolar amounts for Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate/Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and Epoxy acrylate/Tripropy-lene glycol diacrylate monomer systems with and without AgNO3. During the preparation of nanohybrid coating, simultaneously, in-situ formation of silver nanoparticles was achieved and typical surface plasmon resonance absorption bands of silver nanoparticles and scanning electron microscopy images were recorded. Scanning electron microscopy results confirmed the nicely distributed and narrow sized silver nanoparticles formation in polymer matrix. Most importantly, hydrophobic epoxy polymeric nanohybrid film turned to super-hydrophilic by just adding 0.25 % wt aminopmpylisobutyl-POSS to the formulation. These results will open new doors especially for drug delivery and biomedical application areas as reaching these properties is very easy, fast and convenient.

Automated summary

In this study, a photochemical method was used to prepare functional nano hybrid coatings and modify surface properties by adding a small amount of POSS compound to hydrophobic monomer systems. In-situ formation of silver nanoparticles was achieved during the preparation process, resulting in the transformation of hydrophobic epoxy polymeric nanohybrid film to super-hydrophilic. These results have the potential to open new avenues for research in drug delivery and biomedical applications.