An effect of surface segregation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes on surface physical properties of acrylic hard coating materials

An effect of surface segregation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) on surface physical properties was investigated. Hard coating layer with various MA8POSS loadings was prepared on a bilayer of soft layer and PMMA substrate via a UV curing process. The scratch resistance of the coating layer showed specific properties. When MA8POSS loadings in the coating layers were less than 10 wt %, the coating layers showed a great performance in scratch resistance. While MA8POSS loadings were higher than 10 wt %, the surface performance was deteriorated. This is because the outermost surface of the coating layer was covered by MA8POSS molecules when the MA8POSS loadings were higher than 10 wt %, resulting in uncompleted curing reaction caused by large steric hindrance of MA8POSS. [Display omitted] •Surface segregation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes enhances scratching properties of acrylic hard coating materials.•The critical MA8POSS loadings for superior scratch resistance is 10 wt %.•A fine MA8POSS-rich layer is formed with MA8POSS loadings higher than 10 wt %.•The steric hindrance of MA8POSS regulated the degree of conversion at the surface.