In-situ polymerization of polyurethane/aniline oligomer functionalized graphene oxide composite coatings with enhanced mechanical, tribological and corrosion protection properties

Aniline oligomer-functionalized graphene oxide (AOFG) and reduced graphene oxide (AOFrG) were prepared via a liquid-phase chemical modification route and incorporated into the polyurethane (PU) by an in-situ polymerization to obtain both wear-resistant and anticorrosive composite coatings. GO/PU and rGO/PU composite coatings were prepared in the same manners and used for comparative studies. Results indicate that the functional modification improves the dispersion of GO and rGO in organic solvents significantly. As a result, the introduction of AOFG and AOFrG into the PU enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of PU prominently, a reinforcement in the friction durability, lubrication and anticorrosive performance ensued correspondingly, and the enhancement efficient was more much stronger than those of the raw GO and rGO. Furthermore, all properties of AOFG/PU composite coating are marginally superior to those of AOFrG/PU composite coating. The analysis results indicate that AOFG shows the most outstanding enhancement effect mainly due to its excellent dispersion homogeneity and interaction led by higher reactivity with the matrix, along with improved permeability resistance and proton erosion endurance.

Automated summary

Aniline oligomer-functionalized graphene oxide (AOFG) and reduced graphene oxide (AOFrG) were prepared and incorporated into polyurethane (PU) to obtain wear-resistant and anticorrosive composite coatings. The functional modification significantly improved the dispersion of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in organic solvents, enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of PU prominently. The introduction of AOFG and AOFrG also led to better friction durability, lubrication, and anticorrosive performance, with AOFG showing the most outstanding enhancement effect.