Preparation and characterization of SiO2/fluoroalkyl-trialkoxysilane/2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate/trimethylolpropane triacrylate and SiO2/3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate/ 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate/trimethylolpropane triacrylate coatings on glass substrates using the sol-gel method

Abstract Organic/inorganic hybrid materials were formed using the sol-gel process, in which SiO 2 /fluoroalkyl-trialkoxysilane (FAS)/2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA)/trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) and SiO 2 /3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MSMA)/ 2-HEMA/TMPTA thin films were formed on a glass substrate using dip coating. Experimental results revealed that FAS and MSMA improved the pencil hardness of SiO 2 /2-HEMA/TMPTA thin films without affecting their optical properties. FAS strengthened the hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics of SiO 2 /2-HEMA/TMPTA thin films more than did MSMA. However, an excess of FAS and an increase in withdrawal rates deteriorates the gloss, because both increased the SiO 2 content, reducing the reflectivity.