A multi-functional coating based on acrylic copolymer modified with PDMS through copolymerization

Abstract

The chemical modification of acrylic copolymer was performed through copolymerization of vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and acrylic monomers by solution polymerization in order to synthesize acrylic-PDMS copolymers that could possess multi-functional properties required for application in harsh industrial environments. The synthesis of acrylic-PDMS copolymers was designed to possess combined advantages of the PDMS and acrylic copolymer. The acrylic-PDMS copolymers formed dispersion particles to be stable in water and the hydrophilic groups of the acrylic copolymer was distributed outside of the particles which is intended to stabilize the copolymer particles in water, and this could make it possible to prepare water-based coatings. The acrylic-PDMS showed more flexible copolymer chains, allowing the surface of acrylic-PDMS copolymer films to form with minimum defects, compared to the acrylic copolymer film, and with significantly decreased surface energy. The copolymer coatings exhibited high hydrophobicity with contact angles of the copolymer films increased to more than 90°. The high contact angle and low surface energy contributed to the low water absorption ratio and low dirt-pick performance of the copolymer films. The enhanced anti-corrosion performance of the copolymers was verified by electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and salt spray tests. The incorporation of PDMS segments in the acrylic-PDMS copolymers has been shown to be an effective approach to developing multi-functional coating with high chemical, corrosion and thermal resistances.