UV Radiation Energy Consumption in Curing Process of Epoxidized Sunflower Oil-Nanocomposite Coatings

Epoxidized sunflower oil (ESO) can be cured with ultraviolet radiation using either cationic or hybrid initiation. The organoclay was prepared by cationic exchange process, in which sodium ions were replaced by alkyl ammonium ions. Organoclay was incorporated into epoxidized sunflower oil UV-curable systems. The effects of diluents and types of photo initiators were studied. It was found that the formulations with hybrid photoinitiator required energy in curing process less than those with cationic photoinitator. Moreover, the formulations without diluent can be cured with lower radiation energy than those with diluent. The X-ray diffraction patterns of organoclay-incorporated UV-curable film showed exfoliated structure of organoclay in the UV-curable coating film.

Keywords: -

Corresponding author: E-mail: jnantana@sc.chula.ac.th