Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Coatings Based on Polyfunctional Silanols as New Monomers in Sol-Gel Processing

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials offer the opportunity to combine the desirable properties of organic polymers (toughness, elasticity) with those of inorganic solids (hardness, chemical resistance). Since improved mechanical and chemical resistance is an increasing demand for various coating applications, hybrid materials were developed based on polyfunctional silanols as new monomers in sol-gel processing. After hydrolysis and condensation with different co-reactants, coatings with superior optical and mechanical properties are obtained at ambient temperature. Such hybrid coatings show excellent chemical resistance and high UV stability. Although the adhesion to many substrates is good without additional pretreatment, the hybrid coatings exhibit a very anti-adhesive surface. Due to these properties potential applications include automotive clear coats, hard coats for plastics, anti-graffiti coatings and biocide-free fouling-release coatings.