Fabrication of optically clear acrylic pressure–sensitive adhesive by photo-polymerization: UV-curing behavior, adhesion performance, and optical properties

Acrylic pressure–sensitive adhesives (PSAs) with 2-phenoxy ethyl acrylate (PEA) were polymerized using UV-curing technology. This study examined the effects of PEA content and UV dose. The photo-polymerization behavior of the pre-polymer was examined by viscosity measurements, real-time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photo-differential scanning calorimetry. The curing behaviors of the acrylic PSAs were investigated by shrinkage test, a modular advanced rheometer system, and gel content. differential scanning calorimetry and Advanced Rheometric Expansion System were used to characterize the acrylic PSAs. Adhesion performances were measured by probe tack, peel strength, and shear adhesion failure temperature. The optical properties of acrylic PSAs were examined by UV–visible spectroscopy and prism coupler. The PEA content had a larger effect on improving the optical properties, than did the UV dose. The transmittances of the acrylic PSAs with <75% PEA were >95%. The refractive indices of the acrylic PSAs increased with increasing PEA content, due to its high refractive index, >1.5, which affected the overall refractive indices, particularly in the visible region.