Enhanced photopolymerization and properties of UV-cured films with a tetrafunctional oxetane-based organosilicon monomer

This study reports the successful synthesis of a novel tetrafunctional oxetane-based organosilicon monomer (QOX-Si), through a hydrosilation reaction. The monomer effectively boosts the photopolymerization efficiency of the blend consisting of 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate (E4221) and 1,2-epoxy-4-vinylcyclohexane (VOH). This improvement is particularly evident with the addition of 1.5 mol% QOX-Si, achieving an optimal conversion rate of 69.3 %. The integration of QOX-Si into UV-curable films results in remarkable improvements in thermal stability, as evidenced by increased T 5% and T max values to 302 °C and 420 °C, respectively, the films demonstrate an elevated glass transition temperature (T g ) of 204.4 °C, alongside exhibiting a remarkable gel yield of 98.3 %, a water contact angle of 91.3°, and enhanced Shore hardness reaching 87.2 HD. Moreover, the adhesion properties of the cured film are notably improved, particularly on PVC and glass substrates. These findings emphasize the promising role of QOX-Si in enhancing the performance standards of polymeric materials, particularly in applications that require superior thermal stability and robust mechanical properties.