The Role of Mixed Graphene/Carbon Nanotubes on the Coating Performance of G/CNTs/Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites

There is no doubt that, epoxy resin is one of the most important materials that has been widely used in coating technology. The present work is aimed to fabricate a new series of epoxy resin nanocomposites in the form of G/CNTs/EPY1-4 using simple dissolution method and ultrasonic assistance. The expected nanocomposites have been fabricated using 10% loading of different mixed ratios from G/CNTs. Four different G/CNTs mixed ratios were used 20/80%, 40/60%, 60/40%, and 80/20%. The structure of the G/CNT/EPY1-4 nanocomposites has been investigated and confirmed by normal characterization techniques including: X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential Thermal gravimetry (DTG) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). T-25 and T-50 values for G/CNT/EPY1-4 nanocomposites were slightly higher than elegant epoxy. R-500 values for the fabricated materials were in the range of 8.98-10.04%. Furthermore, the role of mixed G/CNTs on the coating properties of epoxy resin was determined using electrochemical impedance and technique. The coating resistance of epoxy composites in the form of G/CNT/EPY1-4 was larger than that observed for elegant epoxy coating. G/CNT/EPY3 and G/CNT/EPY1 showed highest and the lowest coating impedance values respectively. In addition to that, the water sorption technique has been used as a complementary method for such coating behaviour. The water uptake was efficiently decreased in all the formulations compared to the epoxy due to the presence of G/CNTs reinforcing agents.