Epoxy Acrylate Matrix Research Articles

Green synthesis and use of copper oxide nanoparticles to prepare a highly thermal, antimicrobial, and anticorrosion hybrid coating for mild steel under electron beam irradiation

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to prepare copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in an easy and efficient way using a natural and environmentally friendly substance like ascorbic acid. Various concentrations of these nanoparticles were then added to solvent-free coating formulations to produce highly hydrophobic, corrosion-resistant and antimicrobial hybrid coatings. These hybrid formulations were also used to coat the spent fuel casks for their integrity.Design/methodology/approachThe hybrid coated films were then characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), water contact angle and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, different measurements, namely, mechanical, physical, chemical, thermal, corrosion tests, open circuit potential and antimicrobial activity of these hybrid films were performed.FindingsThe results showed that the copper oxide was prepared at nanometer scales with good homogeneity and diffusion in the epoxy acrylate matrix. It also showed that some hybrid coatings have high corrosion resistance, strong hardness, excellent water resistance, remarkable antimicrobial activity and high thermal stability compared to virgin epoxy acrylates.Originality/valueThe formula containing 0.5% CuO NPs was found to provide the highest corrosion protection and antimicrobial activity for mild steel in 3.5% sodium chloride (NaCl).

Studying the Influence of Mica Particle Size on the Properties of Epoxy Acrylate/Mica Composite Coatings through Reducing Mica Particle Size by the Ball-Milled Method

In this work, a series of epoxy acrylate (EA)/mica composite coatings were synthesized through introducing mica powders of different particle size into epoxy acrylate coatings and using an ultraviolet (UV) curing technique to investigate the influence of mica particle size on the coatings. Mica powders of different particle sizes were obtained by ball-milling for 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 h with a planetary high-energy ball mill. The particle size and morphologies of ball-milled mica powders were characterized by laser particle size analyzer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that planetary ball-milling reduced the particle size of mica powders effectively. Mica powders that were un-ball-milled and ball-milled were added into the epoxy acrylate matrix by a blending method to synthesize the organic-inorganic UV curable coatings. The optical photographs of the coatings showed greater stability of liquid mixtures with smaller particle size fillers. The chemical structures of EA/mica composite coatings were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the conversion rate of C=C bonds was calculated. The results indicated that the C=C conversion of coatings with mica powders of smaller particle sizes was higher. Tests of mechanical properties and tests using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that pencil hardness, impact resistance, and coating resistance were improved due to the reduction of mica powders particle size.

Self-assembled supermolecular aggregate supported on boron nitride nanoplatelets for flame retardant and friction application

The scalable preparation and functionalization of two-dimensional (2D) boron nitride (BN) are crucial for its practical applications. Herein, hydroxyl-functionalized BN (OBN) nanoplatelets have been successfully synthesized through a novel two-step method, involving a simple ball milling of bulk BN powders in the assistance of sodium hydroxide, which combine the synergetic effect of mechanical shear forces and chemical peeling, followed by annealing under air condition. The obtained OBN nanoplatelets result in high solubility and form stable dispersions in water or various organic solvents that can be utilized for multiple applications. Then, OBN nanoplatelet was used as platform for embedding supermolecular aggregate (DPCS) via ionic bonding and electrostatic interaction between dicyandiamide and multivalent anions phytic acid connected with cobalt ions (denoted as DPCS@OBN). It is noted that introducing well-characterized DPCS@OBN nanohybrids significantly improve the flame retardancy of epoxy acrylate (EA), i.e., 42.7% and 48.3% reductions in peak heat release rate and total heat release, respectively. In the case of EA/DPCS@OBN system, the storage modulus at 25 °C was dramatically improved by 80.7%, and glass transition temperature was shifted to higher value; the friction coefficient value of EA/DPCS@OBN3.0 composite sharp decline to 0.077, which can be belong to the “superlubrication” phenomena. The excellent properties of these EA composites result from synergetic coupled effect between DPCS supermolecular and BN ultrathin nanoplatelets, as well as good interface interaction between DPCS@OBN and EA matrix.

Synthesis and characterization of UV-curing epoxy acrylate coatings modified with organically modified rectorite

Epoxy acrylate (EA) coatings modified with organically modified rectorite (OREC) were synthesized employing the ultraviolet-curing technique. Two kinds of alkyl ammonium ions, octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (OTAC) and [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (MAOTMA), were used to modify rectorite (REC). The methacrylate functionalities of MAOTMA were capable of reacting with the acrylate groups of EA. The structure of OREC was characterized by FTIR and XRD and the results indicated that the surfactants were successfully intercalated into the REC interlayers via cation exchange process. The morphology of nanocomposites was investigated by SEM and TEM. OREC showed better dispersion in EA matrix compared with unmodified REC. The T g of neat EA obtained by DMA was 75.6°C, while for 5 wt% EA/MAOTMA-REC and EA/OTAC-REC nanocomposites it increased to 76.5 and 80.8°C, respectively. The nanocomposite with 3 wt% loading of OTAC-REC had the highest T g (89.7°C). TGA revealed that the thermal stability of nanocomposites was enhanced by OTAC-REC and MAOTMA-REC and the thermal stability of EA/MAOTMA-REC nanocomposites was better than that of EA/OTAC-REC nanocomposites. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites containing OTAC-REC and MAOTMA-REC were better than those of nanocomposites containing unmodified REC. With increasing OREC content, the adhesive force of nanocomposites decreased slightly and the flexibility increased significantly.

Morphology and properties of UV-curing epoxy acrylate coatings modified with methacryl-POSS

Abstract In this work, the morphology and properties of UV-curing epoxy acrylate (EA) coatings modified with methacryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (M-POSS) were studied. The M-POSS nanocages were introduced into EA UV-curing system via copolymerization at loadings between 0% and 10 wt%. The XRD and FTIR analysis indicated that M-POSS chemically incorporated into the hybrid materials and formed a cross-linked network between M-POSS and EA. The morphological analysis showed that the discrete spherical POSS-rich particles were dispersed in the EA matrix uniformly, and both of the number and mean diameter of POSS-rich particles increased with the increasing M-POSS loadings. The influence of M-POSS on the kinetics of the photopolymerization was determined by real time FTIR spectroscopy and the result showed that the addition of POSS enhanced both of the UV-curing rates and final double bond conversion. The DMA analysis showed that increasing the amount of M-POSS nanocages caused an increase on the nanocomposite's T g . TGA curves showed that at the later period of degradation process, the thermal stability of nanocomposites was enhanced by M-POSS. With respect to the mechanical properties, the most remarkable trend was an improvement on the impact resistance of nanocomposites with the increasing POSS contents. Because both of the craze and plasticity deformation caused by POSS nanocages would absorb impact energy, hinder the growth of craze.

Synthesis of a Novel Phosphorus- and Nitrogen-Containing Acrylate and Its Performance as an Intumescent Flame Retardant for Epoxy Acrylate

A novel acrylate monomer containing phosphorus and nitrogen— N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) aminomethyl phosphonic acid diethylester (BHAAPE)—was first synthesized by the combination of the Kabachnik–Fields reaction and esterification, and then incorporated into epoxy acrylate (EA) resins through an ultraviolet (UV) curing process. The structure of BHAAPE was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The functionalized epoxy acrylate (FEA) resins exhibit significantly enhanced flame retardancy, which were evidenced by LOI, microscale combustion calorimetry (MCC) and cone calorimetry testing (CCT). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results show that the introduction of BHAAPE promotes degradation of the EA matrix and catalyzes its char formation. The thermal degradation mechanism of FEA was further investigated by RTIR and direct pyrolysis/mass spectroscopy (DP-MS). The char structure of FEA, as characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), re...

Preparation and Characterization of Hybrid Nanocomposites Containing Polyethylene Oxide Segments and SiO2 Through a Dual-curing Process

Hybrid organic–inorganic nanocomposites containing SiO2 and polyethylene oxide (PEO) segments linked to an epoxy acrylate (EA) network were prepared through a dual-cure process involving photopolymerization and subsequent condensation of alkoxysilane groups using 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane-terminated PEO (PEO-[Si(OC2H5)3]2) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as precursors, 3-methacryloxypropy ltrimethoxysilane (MEMO) as coupling agent, and EA as prepolymer. The chemical structures of the products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) showed that the in situ generated nano-SiO2 dispersed uniformly in the EA matrix and the organic and inorganic phase interacted strongly. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and mechanical properties results indicated that the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the impact strength of the hybrid nanocomposites increased simultaneously with inc...

Synthesis and characterization of UV-cured epoxy acrylate/POSS nanocomposites

In this study, epoxy acrylate (EA)/vinyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanocomposites were prepared through in situ polymerization and by UV-curing technique. The vinyl-POSS monomers were added to EA matrix by physically blending at loadings between 0wt.% and 15wt.%. The microstructure of the EA/vinyl-POSS composites was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, and the result indicated that the separate POSS domains were present in EA/POSS composites. Aggregates were observed in the nanocomposites by SEM and the EDS results indicated that there were vinyl-POSS molecules existing in the EA matrix. TEM images further proved there were both POSS aggregates and monomers dispersed in the EA matrix. The kinetics of the photopolymerization was investigated by real time FTIR spectroscopy. The DSC analysis showed that the increasing POSS content caused a decrease on the composite's glass transition temperature. TGA measures confirmed that the degradation mechanism of EA was not affected by POSS and the nanocomposites thermal stability was slightly improved with the increasing of POSS loadings. It can be seen that the degradation rate slowed down with the increasing of POSS content and the 50% mass loss temperature of EA/POSS hybrids all increased conspicuously relative to plain EA.

Characterization and Properties of UV-Cured Epoxy Acrylate/POSS Nanocomposites

In this study, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) were blenged with epoxy acrylate (EA) and photoinitiator to prepare nanocomposites through UV-curing process. The vinyl-POSS nanoparticles were added to EA by physically blending at loadings between 0% and 15wt%. Through the FTIR analysis, we found that the POSS nanocomposites didn’t affect the extent of UV curing reactions; the curing reactions were performed to be completed in all POSS containing composites. The XRD analysis convinced the existing of phase separation between EA matrix and vinyl-POSS monomer. The impact resistance and coating adhesion were all enhanced by POSS nanocomposites at low content.

Radiation Cured Epoxy Acrylate Composites Based on Graphene, Graphite Oxide and Functionalized Graphite Oxide with Enhanced Properties

Epoxy acrylate (EA) composites containing graphite oxide (GO), graphene and nitrogen-double bond functionalized graphite oxide (FGO) were fabricated using UV-radiation and electron beam radiation via in-situ polymerization. Graphene and FGO were homogenously dispersed in EA matrix and enhanced properties, including thermal stability, flame retardancy, electrical conductivity and reduced deleterious gas releasing in thermo decomposition were obtained. Microscale combustion colorimeter results illustrated improved flame retardancy; EA/FGO composites achieved a 29.7% reduction in total heat release (THR) when containing only 0.1% FGO and a 38.6% reduction in peak-heat release rate (PHRR) when containing 3% FGO. The onset decomposition temperatures were delayed and the maximum decomposition values were reduced, according to thermogravimetric analysis which indicated enhanced thermal stabilities. The electrical conductivity was increased by 6 orders of magnitude (3% graphene) and the deleterious gas released during the thermo decomposition was reduced with the addition of all the graphite samples. This study represented a new approach to functionalize GO with flame retardant elements and active curable double bond to achieve better dispersion of GO into polymer matrix to obtain nanocomposites and paved a way for achieving graphene-based materials with high-performance of graphene in enhancement of flame retardancy of polymers for practical applications.

Surface modification of a UV curable acrylate coating: In situ introduction of hydrophobic properties

Two polyfunctional silanes polymethyl-hydrosiloxane ( I) and octakis(dimethylsiloxy)-T8-silsequioxane ( II) are proposed as new co-initiators for radical acrylate photopolymerization reactions. In the presence of a type II photoinitiator such as benzophenone, isopropylthioxanthone or camphorquinone, these compounds are found reactive. The influence of oxygen is also examined. Incorporating only 1% (w/w) of I into an epoxy acrylate matrix allows the formation, under air, of a coating exhibiting a hydrophobic surface. In free radical promoted cationic polymerization, the addition of I to a BP/Φ 2I + system significantly enhances, under air, both the polymerization rate and the final conversion. The autoxidation reaction of I in the presence of BP under air generates a hydrophobic polymer surface. The reaction mechanisms are discussed on the basis of laser flash photolysis experiments.