High-concentration transparent TiO2 nanocomposite films prepared from TiO2 nanoslurry dispersed by using bead mill

Abstract

We developed TiO2-dispersed nanocomposite polymer films, which have a high concentration of 65 wt. % TiO2, high refractive index of 1.85, and high transmittance of 81.5% (thickness: 5 μm). Finely dispersed TiO2 nanoslurry was obtained by using a bead mill filled with fine beads, where two monomers (either neopentyl glycol dimethacrylate or divinylbenzene) and a single organic solvent (butylacetate) were used as a disperse medium. Up to 20 wt. % TiO2 could be added into a polymer film by the direct dispersion of TiO2 in the monomer. Furthermore, it was possible to incorporate high-concentration TiO2 (above 60 wt. %) in the polymer film by replacing the disperse medium with the monomer after the dispersion of TiO2 in the organic solvent. Visually, the surface of these films was smoother than that of other films prepared by direct dispersion. Further, these films were transparent and had a high refractive index. © 2008 The Society of Polymer Science.