Abstract
Organic–inorganic hybrid (OIH) coatings have been established as advanced materials for the oil and gas pipeline industry, machinery, aerospace and strategic defence applications, considering their distinctive integration of thermal conductivity and anti-corrosive properties. Herein, a room-temperature-curable OIH coating was prepared by homogeneously dispersing 7.5 wt.% Al2O3 and 40 wt.% SiO2 (EPSA) in epoxy using solution intercalation. Furthermore, tertiary 2D nanofillers, including 2.5 wt. % Ti3C2Tx MXene and hexagonal boron nitride were integrated, and the effects of nanomaterials on the structure-properties relationship (EPMX and EPBN) are evaluated. Specifically, these 2D materials improved the water contact angle of EPMX (113°) and EPBN (133°), inducing self-cleaning properties. Moreover, the formulated EPBN nanocoating exhibits lower corrosion current (2.48×10-6 A/cm2) with enhanced impedance modulus (|Z|f=0.1Hz > 8×109 Ω.cm2) and corrosion potential (-0.577 V) when compared to pristine epoxy (2.80×10-6 A/cm2, 3.3×109 Ω.cm2, and -0.877 V), attributed to the tortuous path mechanism of corrosive elements. Also, the thermal conductivity of EPMX and EPBN increased by around 100% and 124%, respectively, when compared to epoxy coatings, ascribed to the formation of thermal conductive pathways by the nanofillers, offering excellent thermal management capabilities.
[Display omitted]