Titanium dioxide grafted with silane coupling agents and its use in blue light curing ink

Abstract To improve the properties of titanium dioxide particles and realise their firm anchorage in blue light curing film, three modified titanium dioxide particles were prepared by grafting 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate, 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane. The surface changes of titanium dioxide particles after modification were characterised. The dispersion stability, photo‐polymerisation, rheological and mechanical properties of modified titanium dioxide blue light curing inks were investigated. Results showed that compared with native titanium dioxide, modified titanium dioxide particles were more appropriate for blue light curing ink. The particle sizes of the three modified titanium dioxide particles became smaller, their surfaces exhibited hydrophobicity, and the viscosity of the modified titanium dioxide inks decreased slightly. Of the three modified titanium dioxide particles, 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate‐ and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane‐modified titanium dioxide particles exhibited better dispersion stability in blue light curing ink. In particular, 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate‐modified titanium dioxide blue light curing ink showed the best photo‐polymerisation and mechanical properties, which indicated the participation of the pigment grafted by double bonds in the blue light curable polymerisation. Using modified titanium dioxide in blue light curing ink, the dry/wet rubbing fastness of the printed fabrics improved.