Water-born and UV-cured Epoxy-acrylate Copolymers and Their Nanocomposites

Preparation and application of different kinds of epoxy-acrylate copolymers and theirnanocomposites reinforced with different types of nanoparticles arereviewed. These copolymers and nanocompositeshavereceivedgreat attention by academics and industrialists to provideeco-friendly routeswhere the toxic chemicals, particularly organic solvents, which are hazardous to health and environment and are replaced with water. Water-borne coatings exhibit water white color, good weather stability, high durability, considerable corrosion resistance in most corrosive environments, high polarity, excellent transparency, low toxicity and good adhesive properties as well as good physical and mechanical properties. There are different methods for preparation of water-born epoxy-acrylate nanocomposites reinforced with different nanoparticles and nano structures.The final properties of these reinforced nanocomposites can be influenced through curing procedures including physical curing, UV-beam curing or curing with water-soluble chemical agents. Herein, the structure, preparation and properties of polymer nanocomposites are discussed in general along with detailed examples drawn from the scientific literatures. The industrial applications of these nanocomposites in aerospace, biomedicine, microelectronics, especially stereo lithography and light-emitting diodes, and special coatings used in corrosive environments are reviewed.