Synthesis and characterization of titanium oxide nanotubes and its performance in epoxy nanocomposite coating

Titanium oxide nanotubes (TiO2 nanotube, TNT) were prepared from hydrothermal treatment of TiO2 particles in NaOH at 140 degrees C, followed by neutralization with HCl. The structure of the nanotubes was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). TNT synthesized under the optimal conditions with approximately 10-20 nm wide, and several (100-200) of nanometers long. TNT is used as white pigment for two component epoxy-based coating. Ultrasonication followed by mechanical stirring has been applied for dispersion of TNT powder in an epoxy matrix. The resulting perfect dispersion of TNT particles in epoxy coating revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) ensured white particles embedded in the epoxy matrix. The effects of TNT particle concentrations on thermal, mechanical and corrosion resistance of epoxy coatings composite were studied and compared to that of submicron particles. It was found that the TNT significantly enhances the heat resistance, the thermal stability and the glass transition temperature of epoxy resin. Epoxy/TNT nanocomposite with 5.0 wt.% TNT shows the highest thermal stability, the temperature of 50% weight loss increased from 365 to 378 degrees C, the amount of char yields or residues at 600 degrees C increased from 7.13 to 13.50 wt.%, respectively to 1.0 and 5.0 wt.% TNT. The glass transition temperature (Tg) increased from 182 to 220 degrees C too. The mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of epoxy resin greatly improved by using reinforcing TNT and this improvement increases with increase TNT wt.%. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.