Synthesis and dynamic mechanical analysis of nanocomposite UV crosslinkable 100% solid acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives

A synthesis and characterization of nanocomposite solventless acrylic UV crosslinkable pressure sensitive adhesives is presented. Different prepolymers were synthesized using bulk polymerization procedure. The reaction mixture consisted of acrylic monomers (2-ethylhexyl acrylate, acrylic acid and t-butyl acrylate), azobisisobutyronitrile initiator, chain transfer agent n-dodecylmercaptan and unsaturated UV photoinitiator 4-acryloyloxybezophenone. Different formulations with different amounts of modified and unmodified montmorillonite (MMT) clays were tested and the prepolymer was characterized by viscosity measurements. UV crosslinking process was monitored using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Gel phase amount in crosslinked samples was determined by Soxhlet extraction. Clay dispersion in polymer matrix was investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Three basic adhesive properties, the tack, peel and shear strength were measured and the viscoelastic properties of crosslinked adhesive films were characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Results of the study showed high increase in prepolymer viscosity, when hydrophobic types of MMT clays were added in the reaction mixture. The addition of clay had a negative effect on UV crosslinking process. XRD analysis confirmed complete exfoliation and/or intercalation of modified clays in polymer matrix, depending on modifier amount and type. Results of adhesive properties testing showed a major influence of clay addition on adhesive properties, especially on shear strength. DMA analysis showed an increase in storage modulus (G′) and a decrease of tan δ values for adhesives synthesized with clay what also concurs with higher shear strength and implies an improved cohesion of adhesive.