Electric field induced surface modification and impermeability enhancement for a polymer film

Abstract

A compression region was unexpectedly formed in a semiliquid alkyd film during polymerization under a local electric field, and the thin compression region in the cured film was found to be interestingly more impermeable than the other thick areas. Based on optical and SEM observations and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis, a charging process was proposed to interpret the film morphology change. It was further inferred that some of the species from air ionization in the electric field might participate in the polymerization of the film and the electric field could beneficially interfere the micro-defects in the film, both of which helped lower the permeability of the cured film. The study also implies that the electric field modification may be employed to micro-machine a soft surface, enhance the quality of an organic coating, and even control automatons in future.

Modification, Degradation and Evaluation of a Few Organic Coatings for Some Marine Applications

“…A curing epoxy resin film under a local electric field can be attracted and repelled alternatingly, exhibiting an interesting oscillation behavior, and eventually forming a compression region [74]. A compression region was also found on an alkyd resin if it cured under a local electric field and the compression region had lower permeability in the cured coating (see Figure 3) [75]. However, such a local modification using an electric field may change the chemical compositions of a polymer coating [76] and may be too complicated to be used in the field [77,78].…”

“…Figure 3. Schematic illustration of local modification of the surface morphology of a semiliquid alkyd film under a DC electric field[75].…”

Modification of an alkyd resin coating by airflow

“…Apart from natural environmental factors, some artificial conditions, such as electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields are also environmental parameters that have a contactless power to modify the morphology and property of polymer materials . Recently, the electric field was reported to be able to alter the distribution of the microdefects locally in an organic coating and thus enhance the coating protectiveness there . However, these methods may change the chemical compositions of a polymer coating and maybe too complicated in the field .…”

“…[23] Recently, the electric field was reported to be able to alter the distribution of the microdefects locally in an organic coating and thus enhance the coating protectiveness there. [24] However, these methods may change the chemical compositions of a polymer coating [25] and maybe too complicated in the field. [26,27] It would be highly desirable if a simple noncontact method could be developed to modify the microdefects and improve the protectiveness of a polymer coating.…”

Impact of Mendong fiber–epoxy composite interface properties on electric field frequency exposure

“…It can be reached through the matrix polymer functionalized by nanoparticles 27 or modification of polymer structure by the orientation of molecular structure using the shearing process in manufacturing processes like injection, extrusion method, and the applied magnetic and electric field, or their combination. [28][29][30] The electric field has been applied to modulate the polymer systems morphologies to get anisotropic structures. 30 Both the applied strength and frequency of the electric field affect the structure and properties of the polymer.…”