Hyperbranched Polymers in Cationic UV Curing

Summary: A wide range of hyperbranched polymers (HBP) was synthesized and investigated as additives in cationic photopolymerization of epoxy systems. The HBP were inserted into the polymeric network either by a copolymerization or through a chain transfer reaction involving the phenolic hydroxyl groups. By varying the type and concentration of HBP a modification of the bulk properties of photocured films was induced. An increase of toughness properties together with a flexibilization was obtained without affecting the processability and the viscosity of the photocurable mixture. In the presence of fluorine-containing HBP, a surface modification was induced.