Superamphiphobic coating prepared via a two-step spray method: An effective coating for reducing VOCs emission from crude oil tank

Abstract

In the petrochemical industry, crude oil adhesion in storage tanks leads to volatilization of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), causing environmental harm and economic losses. Superamphiphobic coatings show promise in addressing this issue, but current options face challenges like complexity, limited durability, and poor corrosion resistance. This work introduces a durable and corrosion-resistant superamphiphobic coating on Q235 carbon steel using the "paint + adhesives" two-step spray method. The first layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and epoxy resin (E-44), while the second layer consists of fluorine modified silica nanoparticles (F-SiO2). The numerous and homogeneously dispersed fluorine on the coating imparts excellent liquid-repelling properties for both water and crude oil, with a water contact angle of 164.1 ± 2.4° and a sliding angle of 1.1 ± 0.1°, as well as a crude oil contact angle of 172.1 ± 0.9° and a sliding angle of 2.5 ± 0.5°. Systematic stability tests confirm the coating's mechanical and chemical stability, suggesting its potential in practical applications. Importantly, a crude oil tank with our superamphiphobic coating can reduce non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) volatilization by 77.4 % ± 7.8 % compared to an uncoated tank. This research provides a superamphiphobic coating to reduce crude oil loss and VOC volatilization in petrochemical enterprises, showing significant contribution to environmental sustainability.