Solution spray synthesis and surface modification of SiO2 nanoparticle for development of UV curable concrete coatings

SiO2 nanoparticles (SNP) were synthesized using patented solution spray reactor using precursor tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) while ammonium hydroxide as precipitant in presence of Tween-80 surfactant at room temperature and the surface modification was carried out with functional organosilanes (e.g. γ -methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy silane (GMPTS)). The functional group, crystal structure, morphology and size of SNP were characterized using FTIR, XRD and FESEM analysis, respectively. Spherical shape particles of SNP of average particle size 30-80 nm were obtained. Transparent UV curable nanocomposite coatings for concrete were formulated using SNP in multifunctional acrylated epoxy phenol novolac oligomer and cured under UV light. Effect of SiO2 nanoparticles was evaluated for performance properties of nanocomposite coatings.