Synthesis and characterization of UV-curable polydimethylsiloxane epoxy acrylate

UV-curable polydimethylsiloxane epoxy acrylate (PSEA) was synthesized by hydrosilylation of allyl glycidyl ether with hydrogen-containing polydimethylsiloxane to give polydimethylsiloxane-type epoxy resin which modified with acrylic acid. The curing speed and the double bond conversion in the UV cured film were influenced by the purity of PSEA with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) measurements. The influences of the synthetic process, such as, the reaction temperature, the concentration of reactants and the catalyst which determined the purity and activity of resins were discussed in detail. The structures of this resin were characterized by 1H-NMR and FT-IR spectra. The molecular weight was checked by gel permeation chromatography, and Mn is 45,000. The properties of the cured film were also investigated by thermogravimetric analyzer, dynamical thermal mechanical analysis, and etc. For example, tensile strength (6.9 Mpa), elongation (20%), hardness (A; 18), water absorption (24 h; 2%), weight loss (40 min, 300 °C; 5%) and etc.