Nonporous, Strong, Stretchable, and Transparent Electrospun Aromatic Polyurea Nanocomposites as Potential Anticorrosion Coating Films.

Sheik Auckloo,Siang-Piao Chai,Khanisya Palaniandy,Giuseppe Lazzara,Yew Hung,Pooria Pasbakhsh

doi:10.3390/nano11112998

Sheik Auckloo, Siang-Piao Chai + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11112998

Copy DOI

Abstract

This study, for the first time, focused on the fabrication of nonporous polyurea thin films (~200 microns) using the electrospinning method as a novel approach for coating applications. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and hydrophilic-fumed nanosilica (HFNS) were added separately into electrospun polyurea films as nano-reinforcing fillers for the enhancement of properties. Neat polyurea films demonstrated a tensile strength of 14 MPa with an elongation of 360%. At a loading of 0.2% of MWCNTs, the highest tensile strength of 21 MPa and elongation of 402% were obtained, while the water contact angle remained almost unchanged (89°). Surface morphology analysis indicated that the production of polyurea fibers during electrospinning bonded together upon curing, leading to a nonporous film. Neat polyurea exhibited high thermal resistance with a degradation temperature of 380 °C. Upon reinforcement with 0.2% of MWCNTs and 0.4% of HFNS, it increased by ~7 °C. The storage modulus increased by 42 MPa with the addition of 0.2% of MWCNTs, implying a superior viscoelasticity of polyurea nanocomposite films. The results were benchmarked with anti-corrosive polymer coatings from the literature, revealing that the production of nonporous polyurea coatings with robust strength, elasticity, and thermal properties was achieved. Electrospun polyurea coatings are promising candidates as flexible anti-corrosive coatings for heat exchanges and electrical wires.

Highlights

Metals are vastly used in myriad applications such as aerospace, aviation, automotives, electronics, or oil and gas
This paper focused on producing solid thin-film polyurea nanocomposites using the electrospinning technique
The high transparency for neat polyurea thin film could be due to the microphase separation as hard and soft domains being smaller than the visible light wavelength (400–800 nm) [67]

Summary

Introduction

Metals are vastly used in myriad applications such as aerospace, aviation, automotives, electronics, or oil and gas. Organic coatings act as barriers, corrosion inhibitors, and electrochemical protectors, protecting the metals from getting into contact with the external environment and decreasing the rate of corrosion Organic coatings such as polymeric coatings used as a top-coat for anti-corrosion demands properties such as hydrophobicity, durability, good substrate adhesion, flexibility, high thermal resistance, strength, and easy application [3]. These coatings protect metals from corrosion via different mechanisms such as the barrier effect, inhibitive effect, or galvanic effect if metallic fillers such as zinc are used as a sacrificial anode.

Methods

Results

Conclusion