The effect of sol-gel surface modified silver nanoparticles on the protective properties of the epoxy coating

In this study, the effect of surface modified silver nanoparticles on the corrosion protection of an epoxy coating on mild steel was studied. An organosilane (3-methoxy silyl propyl metacrylate) was used as a surface modifier to increase the dispersability of the inorganic nanoparticles in the organic epoxy coating matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the surface modified nanoparticles. Differential scanning colorimetry (DSC) was employed to study the effects of modified and unmodified nano-silver on the curing heat and glass transition temperature of the epoxy coatings. Salt spray and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to evaluate the anticorrosion properties of the epoxy coatings. The dispersability of the modified and unmodified nano-silver in the epoxy coating was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed improved anticorrosion properties in the presence of the surface modified silver nanoparticles. Pull-off strengths and hardness measurements of the coatings were also found to be improved in the presence of modified nanoparticles.