Thermal and Optical Properties of Epoxy/Siloxane Hybrimer Based on Sol-Gel-Derived Phenyl-Siloxane

Abstract

A hybrimer based on epoxy resin and phenyl-siloxane was prepared by polymerization and a sol-gel condensation reaction in which Eporite-904 (807 g/eq) bisphenol-A-type epoxy resin, 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (IPTES) and phenyltriethoxysilane (PTEOS) acted as precursors. The thermal and optical properties of the epoxy/siloxane hybrimer were studied. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results implied that the hybrimer could increase the crosslink density and enhance the thermal properties. The optical properties were measured after thermal and UV aging. The refractive indexes of the epoxy/siloxane hybrimers were 1.66 - 1.70, and the transmittances of the cured hybrimers were above 90% in the visible wavelength. After a 120˚C/24-h thermal aging test, the decreases in the refractive index and transmittance were less than 5% and 20% respectively. The epoxy/siloxane hybrimers also showed low discoloration upon thermal aging at 120˚C for 24 h under an air atmosphere.