Oxetane-based transparent anti-smudge coatings via solvent-free spray-deposition and cationic photopolymerization

Abstract

Anti-smudge coatings are hydrophobic coatings that repel both water and oil. However, preparing substrate-independent, transparent, solvent-free, and easy-to-apply anti-smudge coatings is challenging. In this paper, we report a facile route for the preparation of anti-smudge coatings by using an oxetane-based photocurable formulation. 5 different additives (fluorinated alcohols, poly(dimethyl siloxane), hydrophobic silica nanoparticles, modified hollow silica nanoparticles, and modified polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) particles were utilized to impart hydrophobicity. Fluorine-modified POSS particle-containing formulations displayed the best properties. The POSS-containing formulations were spray-coated onto different substrates. Coatings displayed high transparency and repelled water, coffee, and ink. Moreover, owing to the low viscosity of the oxetanes, the coating formulations could be sprayed without any solvent. Overall, herein, the advantages of cationic photocuring such as rapid curing and insensitivity to oxygen inhibition are combined with the low viscosity of oxetane monomers, and substrate-independent coatings are prepared. We think there is much room for these coatings to be used for a wide range of applications.