Enhancing anticorrosive performance of epoxy-based ZnO nanocomposite coatings via 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate modification

The influence of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPM) on the properties of epoxy-based ZnO nanocomposite coatings was investigated, considering its impact on both modified ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and epoxy resin matrix. FTIR analysis revealed that TMSPM-modified epoxy resin (mEP) exhibited lower hydroxyl group and epoxy group content compared to the initial epoxy resin (EP). Furthermore, the obtained results demonstrated that epoxy-based coatings incorporating modified ZnO NPs (m-ZnO NPs) displayed superior mechanical properties compared to those of the sample filled with the unmodified ZnO NPs (u-ZnO NPs). However, the mechanical properties of epoxy-based coatings loaded with m-ZnO NPs were found to be lower than those of coatings comprising mEP resin and m-ZnO NPs. The arrangement of anticorrosion performance of coatings followed a similar pattern. SEM analysis of the cross-cut surface revealed better dispersion of m-ZnO NPs compared to the u-ZnO NPs, although small gaps were observed among the m-ZnO NPs and the epoxy matrix. The SEM images of coatings based on mEP and m-ZnO NPs indicated a tighter structure. This structural characteristic is considered the main reason for the highest anticorrosion performance observed in the investigated coatings incorporating both mEP and m-ZnO NPs.