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Robust and flexible transparent protective film fabricated with an ambient-curable hybrid resin

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Abstract

An ambient-curable hybrid resin (ACHR) terminated with trimethoxysilane functional groups, synthesized through a simple ring-opening reaction between 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH560) and 4,4′-methylenebis (cyclohexylamine) (PACM), was applied to the surface of a transparent organic polymer to produce a robust, flexible, and transparent protective hybrid film, moisture cured at room temperature. The structure, morphology, and optical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the obtained hybrid film were evaluated. The hybrid film allowed the transmittance of more than 87% of visible light (at 600 nm), maintaining almost the same high transparency as bare PET film. The unique flexible segments and rigid segments in the inorganic–organic hybrid structure of the film realized superior resistance to bending and scratching. The hybrid film-coated PET demonstrated excellent flexibility, with an extremely low bending radius, illustrated by wrapping around a 1-mm mandrel bar without cracking. In addition, the hybrid film exhibited superior pencil hardness (of 2H) and excellent wear durability, i.e., no scratching after being subjected to 200 abrasion cycles using #0000 steel wool under a 19.6 kPa load. The robust, flexible, and transparent protective film developed here, and its simple and efficient preparation method, should have extensive application prospects.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Foundation of Science Development of Shenzhen [Grant Number JCYJ20160428164113144] and the Foundation of Science Development of Shenzhen [Grant Number JCYJ20170413163838640].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China

    Haitao Liu & Yudong Huang

  2. Shenzhen Academy of Aerospace Technology, Shenzhen, 518057, China

    Haitao Liu, Pengcong Shao & Yiwu Yan

  3. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China

    Hailin Cao

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  1. Haitao Liu
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Correspondence to Hailin Cao.

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Liu, H., Cao, H., Huang, Y. et al. Robust and flexible transparent protective film fabricated with an ambient-curable hybrid resin. J Coat Technol Res 18, 1065–1073 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-020-00460-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-020-00460-y

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