MXene-hybridized silane films for metal anticorrosion and antibacterial applications

Silanization is an effective green and pollution-free technology for metal surface treatment. However, the silane film is usually lack of anticorrosion durability due to low mechanical strength and existence of microdefects. In the present study, two-dimensional MXene (Ti3C2) sheets have been hybridized into the gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (gamma-GPS) film on AA2024 aluminum alloy surface to improve the anticorrosion property. MXene hybridization greatly enhanced the thickness and compactness of the silane film, producing uniform and dense films with fewer defects. The composite films also showed excellent adhesion to the substrate through Si-O-Al chemical bonding. The films inhibited both anode and cathode corrosions by reducing the corrosion current density as well as the diffusion rate of corrosion solution to metal surface. The neutral salt spray tests showed that the corrosion resistance of the MXene-hybridized silane film was better than that of the film obtained by traditional chromate treatment. Moreover, the composite films exhibited excellent antibacterial property by having MXene in the film for killing bacteria. The study develops a simple and effective strategy to improve the anticorrosion property of the silane film as well as to introduce antimicrobial ability, which is highly promising for practical applications in the industrial, medical and domestic fields.