Surface modification of TiO2 nanoparticles and its effect on the properties of fluoropolymer/TiO2 nanocomposite coatings

Fluoropolymer/TiO2 nanocomposite coatings have been prepared successfully in this paper. For the improvement of TiO2 nanoparticles dispersion and increasing the possibility of the interactions between nanoparticles and fluoropolymer matrix, the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles was modified with KH550 silane coupling agent. The microstructure and properties such as self-cleaning, surface hydrophobicity, ultraviolet and corrosion resistance were investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), self-cleaning test, contact angle measurement, UV spectrophotometer and electrochemical measurement system. The results showed that KH550-modified TiO2 nanoparticles are of good dispersive capacity in organic solvent, and they can improve the self-cleaning property, surface hydrophobicity, ultraviolet resistance, as well as corrosion resistance of the fluoropolymer/TiO2 nanocomposite coatings effectively. Also, the optimal reaction temperature and the mass percentage of KH550 to TiO2 have been obtained. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.