Monomer/modified nanosilica systems: Photopolymerization kinetics and composite characterization

The article describes the influence of the amount and type of organically modified nanosilica (surface and structure modified Aerosil 7200 and surface-modified Aerosil R711) on the photopolymerization kinetics of tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate and on the physical properties of nanosilica dispersions in the monomer and the polymer matrix. Kinetic measurements showed that silica addition can accelerate or retard the polymerization depending on the silica content; the magnitude of this affect depends on the type of silica modification and can be associated with stability of silica dispersion (as measured by Zeta potential value). The highest reactivity showed compositions containing 4–5 wt.-% of silica and acceleration of the polymerization seems to result mainly from the increase in the propagation rate coefficient. The composites obtained show a uniform dispersion of nanoparticles within the polymer matrix for the silica content at least several wt.-%. The size of aggregates covered with the polymer layer is between 50 and 150 nm for Aerosil R7200 and 75–300 nm for Aerosil R711.