Nanomechanical and Electrochemical Properties of ZnO-Nanoparticle-Filled Epoxy Coatings

Abstract

This work focuses on the mechanical, nanomechanical, thermal, and electrochemical properties of epoxy coatings with various percentages of ZnO nanoparticles. The prepared coatings were analyzed after complete curing of 7 days. The dispersion of nanoparticles in the matrix was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) followed by Fourier-Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to evaluate the effect of the nanoparticles on curing and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to evaluate its thermal properties. The electrochemical (anticorrosion) properties of the coatings were analyzed by exposing the prepared coatings to a 3.5% NaCl solution. The obtained results indicated that the addition of the nanoparticles was effective at lower the loadings: higher loadings of the nanoparticles led to increased agglomeration because of higher particle–particle interaction. At higher nanoparticle loadings, the curing process was adversely affected, which led to lower curing percentage. The lower degree of curing affected the thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical properties. The increase in nanoparticle loading beyond 2% negatively affected the coating properties.

Hybridization effect on the mechanical properties of basalt fiber reinforced ZnO modified epoxy composites

“…This reduction in flexural strength of BEZ composites at higher wt% loading of ZnO nanoparticles into the epoxy matrix is due to agglomeration of ZnO nanoparticles beyond 2 wt% inclusion into the epoxy matrix. Similar observations were made by Thipperudrappa et al, [ 49 ] Samad et al, [ 50 ] Torres et al [ 51 ] and Garcia et al [ 52 ] The agglomerated ZnO particles tend to get unevenly distributed within the matrix which reduces the toughening effect imparted by the otherwise evenly distributed nanoparticles, to the epoxy matrix and thus, rendering the weak and brittle epoxy matrix vulnerable to external loads. This can be visualized through SEM images illustrated in Figure 4.…”

The Effect of Zirconia Nanoparticles on Thermal, Mechanical, and Corrosion Behavior of Nanocomposite Epoxy Coatings on Steel Substrates

“…The EIS method has been reported as a powerful technique in studying the prevention of corrosion using coatings [ 23 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. We have employed EIS to report the performance of the fabricated coatings against corrosion after various exposure times in NaCl electrolytes.…”

Synergistic Effect of Nanoparticles: Enhanced Mechanical and Corrosion Protection Properties of Epoxy Coatings Incorporated with SiO2 and ZrO2

“…The addition of particles in the epoxy shows an improvement in the coatings’ properties, which is evident from shifting the maximum depth value at lower levels, toward the maximum applied load. This tells us that coatings are capable to hold higher loads [ 41 ]. The maximum depth values for samples with SiO 2 only reached 8539 nm, with the incorporation of ZrO 2 at 1%, 2% and 3%; the maximum depth values were reduced to 8052 nm, 8173 nm and 7892 nm, respectively.…”

“…The combination of CPE(Q1) and CPE(Q2) provide more insight into passivation and reduced porosity, which helps to prevent corrosion. The observed change in corrosion resistance over time, in comparison to the initial exposure period, is possibly due to the degradation of the coatings [ 41 ]. The impedance data collected indicate that the SNZr-2 coating exhibits the most exceptional resistance to corrosion, even when exposed to longer time periods.…”