Epoxy coatings containing clays and organoclays: Effect of the filler and its water content on the UV-curing process

UV-cured coatings were prepared by photoinitiated cationic ring-opening polymerisation of epoxides in the presence of natural montmorillonite and different organically modified clays (5 wt%). The curing was monitored by FTIR in real time while irradiating the formulations by UV light. Significant changes of both the rate of curing and the final conversion were found. Only in the presence of a suitable montmorillonite and after a suitable pre-treatment, the process showed the same polymerisation rate, guaranteed a higher conversion than the neat epoxide and the formation of intercalated nanostructured coatings.