Photothermal insulation polydimethylsiloxane coating based on phase change materials for anticorrosion applications

Abstract

Phase change materials have potential to enhance the heat preservation properties of coatings. Herein, an assumption was proposed that the phase change material can store the heat generated by photothermal materials and release it near the phase transition temperature. A photothermal heat-preserving polydimethylsiloxane coating was prepared based on PEG@CuS phase change nanofillers, which was proven to have thermodynamic stability through molecular dynamics simulations. This composition exhibited thermodynamic stability, as evidenced by molecular dynamics simulations. In the composite coatings, CuS nanofillers generate heat through solar energy, while PEG stores heat via the phase change process. Due to the phase change process of nanofillers and the low heat dissipation coefficient of composite coating, the composite coatings demonstrate excellent heat preservation property as verified by finite element calculations. Furthermore, we investigated the water permeation processes and corrosion resistance of the coating using distribution of relaxation time analysis and finite element calculations. The results indicate that the composite coatings process a diffusion coefficient of approximately 1.99 × 10-15 m·s−1, providing water resistance for up 20 days. This strategy presents an innovative approach to extend the functionality of coatings in heat management function.