Use of SiO 2 Nanoparticles Modified with Polyethylene Glycol to Increase the Hydrophilicity of Epoxy Coatings

SiO 2 nanoparticles were modified with polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 2000, 6000, and 10000 g mol –1 . For modification, the method based on the sequential interaction of polyethylene glycol with 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate with further treatment of the reaction product with nanodispersed SiO 2 was used. The resulting product was characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Modified nanodispersed SiO 2 was introduced into epoxy resin in order to obtain coatings characterized by increased hydrophilicity. To improve the physical and mechanical characteristics, fillers were introduced into the composition of the coating with 30 wt % modified SiO 2 nanoparticles: mica-muscovite and TiO 2 . It was shown that the process of biological fouling of epoxy coatings in the South China Sea proceeds more slowly in the case of a composition containing SiO 2 nanoparticles modified with polyethylene glycol 6000.