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. 2024 Dec 30;17(1):76.
doi: 10.3390/polym17010076.

Synthesis and Characterization of UV-Curable Resin with High Refractive Index for a Luminance-Enhancing Prism Film

Jin Han Song  1   2 , Seung-Mo Hong  2 , Seok Kyu Park  2 , Hyeok Ki Kwon  1 , Seok-Ho Hwang  3 , Jong-Min Oh  4 , Sang-Mo Koo  4 , Giwon Lee  1 , Chulhwan Park  1
Affiliations

Synthesis and Characterization of UV-Curable Resin with High Refractive Index for a Luminance-Enhancing Prism Film

Jin Han Song et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

A novel monomer, 9-bis[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]fluorene di(mercaptopropionate), with a highly refractive index, purity, and excellent UV-curable properties, is synthesized through an optimized Fischer esterification process, reacting 9,9-bis[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]fluorene with 3-mercaptopropionic acid. The structural characterization of this monomer is performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The synthesis conditions are optimized using a design-of-experiments approach. UV-curable resins are obtained by incorporating the synthesized monomer as the thiol component. The effects of thiol content on the UV-curing behavior, refractive index, shrinkage, adhesion to the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foil, and viscoelastic recovery are examined. The thermal properties are assessed using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy confirms the successful replication of the prism film. In edge-lit light-emitting diode (LED) backlight units, the prism film showed increased luminance with higher thiol monomer content in the UV-curable resin while maintaining stable color coordinates. This novel highly refractive index monomer can be utilized in luminance-enhancing prism films, thereby contributing to future innovations in the display film industry.

Keywords: TFT-LCD; backlight; high refractive index; imprint; luminance; prism film; thiol–acrylate reaction.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors Jin Han Song, Seung-Mo Hong and Seok Kyu Park were employed by the company R&D Center, SHIN-A T&C. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Synthesis and purification of BPEF-DMP.
Figure 2
Figure 2
FT-IR spectrum of BPEF-DMP.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a–d) LC-MS chromatogram and mass spectra for the eluted peak of BPEF-DMP.
Figure 4
Figure 4
HPLC chromatography of synthesized BPEF-DMP. (A) Unreacted product, (B) Unreacted product and over-reaction, (C) Target product, and (D) Over-reaction.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Viscosity (a) and refractive index (b) as a function of TMPMP contents in BPEF-DMP.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Refractive indices of UV-curable resins before cure (▼) and after cure (▲).
Figure 7
Figure 7
DSC thermograms for various thiol contents in the cured film.
Figure 8
Figure 8
TGA thermograms for various thiol contents in the cured film.
Figure 9
Figure 9
(a) Cross-sectional FE-SEM images of the prism film. (b) Top view FE-SEM images of the prism film.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Viscoelastic behavior of prism film as a function of thiol content.
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