Functionalization of Silica with Triazine Hydrazide to Improve Corrosion Protection and Interfacial Adhesion Properties of Epoxy Coating and Steel Substrate

Abstract

The chemical bonding of modified filler surfaces with coating networks is an advanced approach for improving the interfacial adhesion force of fillers with coating and substrate surfaces. In this respect, silica gel surfaces were activated and modified by grafting 1,3–dihydrazide-2,4,6-triazine onto hydroxyl groups of activated silica surfaces. The chemical structure, thermal stability and surface morphologies of the modified silica were investigated. The modified silica fillers were blended during the curing of the epoxy resin with the polyamine hardener. The data regarding the chemical structure and thermal stability of the cured epoxy networks in the presence of modified silica elucidated the chemical bonding of amine groups on the silica surfaces cured with the oxirane epoxy resin. Moreover, the incorporation of modified silica in surfaces with epoxy networks improved their adhesion with steel surfaces and enhanced the mechanical, thermal and anticorrosion characteristics of the epoxy to protect steel surfaces against seawater.