Fabrication and high radiation-resistant properties of functionalized carbon nanotube reinforced novolac epoxy resin nanocomposite coatings

Carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (c-MWCNT) reinforced novolac epoxy resin composite coatings with high radiation-resistant performance were successfully fabricated and investigated. Well-dispersed c-MWCNTs were prepared via a gamma radiation method. The microstructure, abrasion resistance and impact resistance of the composite coatings with varying content of c-MWCNTs (0 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 0.26 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 0.75 wt%, 1 wt%) were studied in detail via high-dose Co-60 gamma radiation (6000 kGy). All of the results reveal that the addition of c-MWCNTs obviously enhanced the radiation-resistance and comprehensive performance of the composite coatings. 0.75 wt% c-MWCNTs was the optimum content. The process and mechanism were generally discussed. The resulting composite coatings can be widely applied in nuclear power plants and other radiation environments.