Hybrid epoxy networks from ethoxysilyl-modified hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) and inorganic reactive precursors

New epoxy–silica hybrid coatings were prepared by a dual process consisting of a sol–gel process using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or 3-glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) in the presence of hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) with ethoxysilyl groups at the chain ends (PEI-Si) followed by a homopolymerization of diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) using 1-methylimidazole (1-MI) as anionic initiator. The influence of the amount of TEOS and GPTMS in the characteristics of the coating was examined. Thin transparent films were obtained and their morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The hydrolytic condensation was confirmed by 29Si NMR studies. Cage-like nanometric structures were formed in case of adding GPTMS and bigger silica particles on adding TEOS to the formulation. Thermal stability was evaluated by thermo- gravimetry and the scratch resistance properties were also investigated, showing an improvement in resistance to break and to detachment in all the coatings containing GPTMS.