High-performance UV-curable epoxy acrylate nanocomposite coatings reinforced with aramid nanofibers

UV-curing epoxy acrylate (EA) nanocomposite films with different amounts of aramid nanofibers (ANFs) synthesized by a bottom-up method were prepared. The effects of the ANFs on the coating microstructures, curing kinetics, optical light transmittance, mechanical properties, and thermal stability were investigated. Although the ANFs strongly absorb UV light, ANF incorporation did not decrease the final C--C bond conversion of the nanocomposites. The UV transmittance of the nanocomposite films decreased dramatically with increasing ANF content, but all films maintained a high visible transmittance. Relative to neat EA, the tensile strength of the 0.05 wt% ANF-reinforced nanocomposites increased by 36%, and the elongation at break of the 0.1 wt% ANFreinforced nanocomposites increased by 194%. This was mainly attributed to the favorable ANF mechanical properties and their strong interactions (hydrogen bonds and 7C-7C stacking) with EA. This work demonstrates that a small amount of ANFs can enhance the UV-shielding and mechanical properties of UV-curable EA coatings without affecting the transparency or final conversion.

Automated summary

UV-curable epoxy acrylate (EA) nanocomposite films with different amounts of aramid nanofibers (ANFs) were synthesized using a bottom-up method, and their effects on coating properties were investigated. The results showed that ANF incorporation decreased UV transmittance while enhancing mechanical properties, without affecting transparency or final conversion. This study highlights the potential of ANF-reinforced nanocomposites in improving UV-shielding and mechanical properties of EA coatings.