Effect of ZnO-GO Particles on the Photopolymerization and Photo-Cleaning of Epoxy Coating

Abstract

In this paper, we fabricate Epoxy/ZnO-GO composite films using photoinduced cationic ring opening polymerization processes with self-cleaning ability and improved thermal properties under the photo exposure. The presence of ZnO nanoparticles on the GO surface aids in achieving good self-cleaning properties by removing model dirt, methylene blue, (within 1-2 h) under sunlight. An increase of almost 15 o C in the thermal stability was obtained by introduction of 0.6 wt% ZnO-GO to the epoxy matrix. Therefore, the nanocomposite could be a promising futuristic material for many advanced applications and used as a surface coating material where it can remove the presence of organic dirt and provide a clean surface.

Photoinduced ring-opening polymerizations

“…Self-cleaning surfaces are nowadays in development for various sectors such as automotive, aerospace… The well-known catalytic properties of ZnO have been exploited to give rise to photo-cleaning surfaces from photopolymerized epoXy resins. Modelling this property was investigated using the capability of the surfaces to degrade organic dyes [310].…”

“…Other examples of composite materials have been reported in literature, notably using TiO2, SiO2, or ZnO nanoparticles in epoXy resin, and some of these materials have been already developed at industrial level [65,310,361,362]. Hence, the Curratec© company proposes a product range of fiber composites and particle composites intended for photosensitizers has been proposed to replace traditional ovens and it is sure that they will be employed for composite production in a near future [367].…”

Variation of pH and Composite Dosage on the Photocatalytic Activity for ZnO/epoxy Nanocomposites

“…ZnO is a semiconductor which has direct band gap width 3.37 eV, large excitation binding energy 60 meV and deep violet/borderline ultraviolet (UV) absorption at room temperature [4].The self-cleaning properties for ZnO result from the oxidation of organic contaminants by photocatalysis process. ZnO is one of the most photocatalyst which has been vastly used because of its strong oxidizing power, non-toxic nature, and low cost [5].…”