Preparation of Hard Coating Solutions using Colloidal Silica and Glycidoxypropyl Trimethoxysilane by the Sol-Gel Method

In order to improve the surface hardness of transparent plastic films, organic-inorganic hybrid coating solutions were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The coating solutions were prepared by adding GPTMS (glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane) to a colloidal silica (12 nm) suspension. PC(polycarbonate) substrates were dipped into the coating solutions and dried at room temperature for 10 min before being cured at 80 degrees C for 30 min. The effect of the solution pH and GPTMS content was investigated on the properties of coating films. The pencil hardness and adhesion to substrates of the coating films, prepared at acidic condition (pH 4), showed better properties than those at neutral or basic conditions. Also, the pencil hardness and adhesion to substrates of the coating films increased with increasing GPTMS content.