Synthesis of an adhesion-enhancing polysiloxane containing epoxy groups for addition-cure silicone light emitting diodes encapsulant

Addition-cure silicone resin is considered as a good choice for light emitting diodes (LEDs); however, it has very poor adhesion to the substrate, which limits its practical application. A novel polysiloxane with self-adhesion ability and higher refractive index for the encapsulating of high-power LEDs is prepared and characterized. This polysiloxane containing vinyl groups, phenyl groups, and epoxy groups was synthesized by a sol-gel condensation process from methacryloxy propyl trimethoxyl silane, gamma-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propytrimethoxysilane, and diphenylsilanediol under the catalysis of an anion exchange resin. Then, the resin-type encapsulation material was prepared by hydrosilylation of methylphenyl hydrogen-containing silicone resin and the newly synthesized polysiloxane material. The novel polysiloxane was characterized by H-1-NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. On the basis of higher refractive index, higher transparency, excellent thermal stability, and appropriate hardness, as well as good adhesive strength between the encapsulating material and the LED lead frame (polyphthalamide), the curable silicone resin-type encapsulation material can be used as an encapsulant for LEDs. Copyright (C) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.