Abstract
This study aims to demonstrate the remarkable features of graphene-based fillers, which are able to improve the protective performance of acrylic coatings. Furthermore, the joint application of a cataphoretic primer and a spray top coat, containing graphene and functionalized graphene oxide flakes, respectively, enables the deposition of a double-layer coating with high conductivity and abrasion resistance properties, capable of offering excellent corrosion resistance to the metal substrate. The surface morphology of the single- and double-layer coatings was investigated by optical and electron microscopies, analysing the defectiveness introduced in the polymer matrix due to the filler agglomeration. The behavior in aggressive environments was assessed by exposure of the samples in the salt spray chamber, evaluating the blister formation and the adhesion level of the coatings. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were employed to study the corrosion protection properties of the coatings, whose conductivity and abrasion resistance features were analysed by conductivity assessment and scrub tests, respectively. The incorporation of graphene-based fillers in the cataphoretic primer improves the corrosion protection properties of the system, while the graphene flakes provide the top coat spray layer with high conductivity and excellent abrasion resistance features. Thus, this work demonstrates the possibility of employing different types of graphene-based fillers and deposition methods for the creation of multifunctional coatings.
Highlights
Graphene is considered in the academic and industrial world as an innovative material, as it possesses a particular combination of physicochemical properties
These values represent the average of 50 measurements performed on 5 samples (10 measurements per sample) for each series
C-SG and CfGO-SG was evaluated by difference between the thickness of the total coating and the one of the first cataphoretic layer
Summary
Graphene is considered in the academic and industrial world as an innovative material, as it possesses a particular combination of physicochemical properties. As a matter of fact, the sp2 -bonded carbon atoms, rearranged in a planar hexagonal structure [1,2], provide graphene with remarkable thermal [3,4] and electrical [5,6,7] features, as well as strong mechanical resistance properties [8,9,10] This material is widely employed in industrial fields with high technological impact, such as the aerospace [11,12] and electronics [13,14,15,16] sectors, or bioengineering companies [17,18]. Graphene represents a valid option as a reinforcing filler for organic coatings, enabling the realization of flame retardant barriers [30,31,32,33], wear resistant layers [34,35] and antifouling coatings [36,37]
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