Surface functionalization of ZrO2 nanocrystallites for the integration into acrylate nanocomposite films

Surface functionalized zirconia nanoparticles were prepared by covalent grafting of a methacrylate functionalized silane (methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, MPTS) onto the surface of the zirconia nanoparticles (tetragonal and mixed monoclinic/tetragonal phase) obtained by hydrothermal treatment of zirconyl chloride octahydrate. The particles are 70 nm aggregates of nanometric primary grains (4–12 nm) with inter particle porosity. BET measurements show that the specific surface area of the particles after activation at 100 °C is between 85 and 204 m2/g depending on the mineralizer used (Sr2+, Ca2+, Mg2+). IR-measurements show that the surface of the particles can be covered with functional groups bound through a variable number of ZrOSi bonds to render them organocompatible. The surface modified particles were dispersed in monomer solution (butanediol monoacrylate, BDMA) and polymerized to form films by adding a cross linking agent (trimethylolpropane triacrylate, Laromer TMPTA) and an UV initiator (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide, Lucirin TPO). The received films were characterized with thermogravimetry and UV–vis spectroscopy.

Surface functionalized zirconia nanoparticles are integrated into highly transparent acrylate films by in situ UV-polymerization of stable monomer particle dispersions.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide