A review on challenges,recent progress and applications of silica nanoparticles based superhydrophobic coatings

Over the past few decades, the study of superhydrophobic coatings (SHCs) gained the significant interest of worldwide researchers due to their tremendous applications in various sectors including, the metal industry, membrane industry, automation, structures, marine, defense, and medicines. The literature is full of review papers on the basics of SHCs, their synthesis methods, and their applications. But, minimal reviews are available on silica nanoparticles-based SHCs. However, silica nanoparticles are well-known material for SHCs due to their abundance, economical, transparency and ease of surface modification by various surface-functionalizing agents compared to other nanomaterials. Furthermore, silica nanoparticles are the most preferred material for the generation of nano-level roughness in the coatings to exhibit superhydrophobicity. Therefore, there is a great need to work in this direction. This work is dedicated to the challenges, recent progress and applications of silica nanoparticles-based superhydrophobic coatings.     

Intumescent coatings and their uses

Thin coats of flame-retardant paints are unable to protect flammable substrates as there is not sufficient flame retardant in the thin coat to protect the substrate. Intumescent coatings foam and bubble when subjected to high temperatures and create multicellular cushions which prevent (a) heat from penetrating into the substrate and (b) flames from spreading along the surface. This paper concentrates on paints and varnishes, but also considers protective coatings for structural steel, smoke proof and wall piercings.     

Intumescent polyurethane coatings with reduced flammability based on spirocyclic phosphate-containing polyols

Polyurethane coatings (PUC) with reduced flammability based on spirocyclic phosphate-containing polyols were synthesized from spirocyclic pentaerythritol di(phosphate acid monochlorides) (SPDPC). Some characteristic properties of the polyols and PUC were examined. The effects of the structure and the amount of contained phosphate on the properties of the polyols and PUC, especially on their resistance to combustion were studied. The spirocyclic phosphate-containing polyols are effective flame retardants for improving the resistance to combustion of PUC. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 471–475, 1997     

Evaluation of environmental barrier coatings: A review

Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) greatly improve the service performance of SiC-based ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) in high-temperature combustion chambers. Working environments with physical ablation, high temperature, and chemical corrosion require the performance of designed EBC materials and/or structures to be properly evaluated before their real applications. In this paper, EBCs’ lifetime-related phase stability, chemical compatibility, and microstructure retainability are discussed. And then, evaluation methods for basic and environmental properties of EBCs are thoroughly reviewed with newly proposed methods and improved techniques. Pros and cons of each method along with some potential strategies/techniques are also provided. We hope this article can give a timely and overall review for efficient and effective evaluation of EBCs and provide guidance not only for beginners but also for seasoned researchers when they design and develop high-performance EBC systems.     

A review of recent progress in the studies of molecular and microstructure of coupling agents and their functions in composites,coatings and adhesive joints

Recent progress in the studies of molecular and microstructure of interfaces and interphases in composites, coatings, and adhesive joints is reviewed. Remarkable progress has been made in elucidating the structure of silane coupling agents and their function with respect to dry and wet strengths of multiphase systems. Aminosilanes attracted major effort in the past. It is now understood that the structure of partially cured hydrolyzate is complicated. When adsorbed from a natural pH solution and dried in air at room temperature, approximately half of the amine groups form amine bicarbonate salt with the CO₂ in air. The rest of the amine groups are either intra- and intermolecularly hydrogen bonded to neighboring silanol groups or free from hydrogen bonding. There exists chemical bonding at the glass/silane or metal/silane interfaces. The surface characteristics, including acidity, topology and homogeneity, influence the structure of the coupling agent. The coupling agent interphase shows a gradient in various properties. Silanes tend to be ordered in the interphase and the degree of organization depends largely on the organofunctionality. The orientation and organization of the silane affects the reinforcement mechanism. There are chemisorbed and physisorbed silanes in the interphase. The coupling agent/matrix interface is a diffuse boundary where intermixing takes place due to penetration of the matrix resin into the chemisorbed silane layers and the migration of the physisorbed silane molecules into the matrix phase. With proper selection of the organofunctionality and the curing conditions, silanes can chemically react with the matrix to form copolymers. The existence of the matrix interphase is now well accepted and the effect of the interphase on the mechanical properties has been studied. It has been recognized that modification of the matrix interphase, such as a coating applied on the fiber using a similar resin as the matrix, has a complex effect on the mechanical performance. It is noteworthy that attempts to synthesize new coupling agents and to utilize the existing coupling agents more effectively still continue. Based on the molecular understanding, new concepts in the reinforcement mechanism have appeared which recognize the importance of interpenetrating networks, the structure of silane in the treating solution, and the microheterogeneity of the glass surfaces. The knowledge obtained through the studies of composites can be applied to organic coatings and adhesive joints provided that the geometrical factors are taken into consideration.     

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-based functional coatings: A review

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-based coatings have attracted significant attention from academia and industry over the past decades. The three-dimensional nano-sized cage with alternating Si O bonds forms the inorganic core of POSS molecules, while organic functional groups are covalently attached to the Si vertices. With this unique structure, they can be integrated with polymers via different approaches, including physical blending, covalent grafting, and chemical cross-linking. And the inorganic/organic hybrid nature of POSS offers the coating materials with desirable mechanical, anti-wetting, anti-corrosive, icephobic, and fire-retardant properties. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art developments of POSS-based functional coatings, while their challenges and future research directions are also discussed.     

Intumescent polylactide: A nonflammable material

In this article, we examine intumescent polylactide, which exhibits a nonburning behavior upon heating. The combination of melamine and ammonium polyphosphate incorporated in the polylactide allowed us to obtain an intumescent char and low flammability. The incorporation of an additional ingredient such as organomodified montmorillonite Cloisite 30B or multiwall carbon nanotubes demonstrated varying effects on the material's reaction to fire, i.e., a large synergistic effect was observed when Cloisite 30B was used, whereas it was antagonistic when multiwall carbon nanotubes were used. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Self-stratifying coatings: a review

A self-stratifying coating is an economical coating containing multiresinous components with different functional groups, which spontaneously stratify after application to the substrate. These coating systems could be composed of two or more different layers to protect substrates against corrosion, by first layer, and simultaneously to create a desirable appearance, by second layer, with decorative properties. Conventional multilayer coating systems encounter some problems such as poor interfacial adhesion, application, and labor costs and also lengthy processing time. The concentration gradient of two layers would eliminate the inter-coating boundary which can be the point of failure in conventional coatings. In this paper, the surface tension and solubility theory regarding these coatings are discussed. In addition, the effects of different factors on the pigment location into the coating systems are studied. The main factors, including curing mechanisms, substrate effects, thickness, viscosity, kinetics of reaction, evaporation rate of solvents, dispersing agents, and surface properties of pigments have been reviewed. The models for prediction of self-stratifying coatings such as UNIFAC and computer simulation have also been addressed and taken into consideration. The prospect of these coatings and their application in different industries is presented.     

A review on conducting polymer coatings for corrosion protection

Corrosion of metals is one of the most important problems in the manufacturing industries. Many corrosion control methods use coatings of conducting polymers and conversion layers that contain toxic and environmentally hazardous materials, especially chromium compounds. These objectives have led to the development of new protective coating strategies that employs nanocomposites and carbon-based materials. In recent years, conducting polymers have attracted much attention because of their wide range of industrial applications and economic viability. Polymers possess long-chain carbon linkages and therefore, upon adsorption are able to block large areas of the corroding metal surfaces. The thin films adsorbed on the metal substrate provide a barrier effect between the metal and its environment. This review article summarizes the different techniques used in corrosion protection of metals, conducting polymers and nanomaterials, nanocomposites, and carbon-based materials in corrosion science.     

A review on self-healing coatings based on micro/nanocapsules

Polymer coating systems are classically applied on a metal surface to provide a dense barrier against the corrosive species. Coatings are susceptible to damage in the form of cracks, which form deep within the structure where detection is difficult and repair is almost impossible. Major advances for automatic repairing of defects have been made in the present decade within the field of self-healing polymeric materials. One of the most significant types of smart coatings is self-healing coating, which has the ability to release encapsulated active agents in a controlled way. They can be employed to develop a new family of smart multifunctional coatings. Incorporating micro/nanocapsules in coating matrix provides release of repairing agent rapidly after triggering due to crack propagation in coatings and gifts the self-healing to the coatings. This review covers the effective parameters in synthesis of micro/nanocapsules, several approaches to fabricate self-healing coatings based on these capsules and disadvantages of embedding them in coatings matrix. Current comprehensive review also provides all the knowledge of self-healing coatings based on micro/nanocapsules to whom that are concerned with coatings and corrosion prevention.     

Intumescent fire-retardant coatings for plastics based on poly(vinylphosphonic acid): Improving water resistance with comonomers

Coatings based on the in situ photopolymerization of vinyl phosphonic acid (VPA) with triallyl cyanurate as a crosslinking agent are shown to be effective not only for fire-protecting glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin (GRE) composites but also poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a typical meltable and flammable thermoplastic. Dry adhesion of polyVPA coatings to PMMA surfaces is excellent but, as with coatings on GRE, adhesion following water-soak tests is poor. Copolymerizing VPA with more hydrophobic monomers improves wet adhesion, albeit with some impairment of fire performance, with copolymers of VPA and acrylonitrile giving the best results. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 47601.     

CO2化学转化研究进展概述

CO₂的化学转化以获得具有经济价值的能源或化学品为目标,可实现CO₂的资源化循环利用,是解决中国碳排放问题的理想方式之一。但由于CO₂极其稳定且转化路径复杂,导致其转化率低且产物选择性不佳。开键还原和不变价化合是CO₂化学转化的两条基本路径。在开键还原方面,CO₂加氢还原已有工业示范装置报道,但单程转化率较低且选择性不足;而CO₂光电还原目前尚处于实验室研发阶段。在化合转化方面,可将CO₂转化合成为碳酸酯/聚碳酸酯,或通过矿化过程实现CO₂的转化与利用,但反应系统的转化效率以及转化过程的经济性仍有待提高。在此背景下,科技部2016年启动了“基于CO₂高效转化利用的关键基础科学问题”国家重点研发计划项目。在未来的研究工作中,将阐明CO₂光电还原和加氢还原的微观动力学机制与能量传递路径,建立更加可控的催化剂制备方法,实现CO₂还原新途径与新技术的突破;研究CO₂与离子液体相互作用机制、催化转化过程及介质强化反应-传递耦合规律;揭示非碱性矿活化CO₂过程的相变规律和矿化反应原理,为CO₂转化与利用的大范围推广奠定基础。     

镁合金表面自修复防护膜层的研究进展

对镁合金表面自修复防护膜层的研究进行了综述,通过介绍自修复膜层的作用机理、制备及性能特点,为设计镁合金表面自修复防护涂层提供参考。     

A comprehensive review of hydroxyapatite-based coatings adhesion on metallic biomaterials

Metallic biomaterials have been employed in replacing and reconstructing the structural parts of the human physical structure due to their high mechanical properties, superior biocompatibility, and high corrosion resistance. The most common metallic biomaterials that have been used in implants include magnesium, stainless steel, cobalt-based alloy, titanium, and titanium-based alloy. Hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) is one of the ceramic biomaterials considered as ideal materials for coating on metallic biomaterials as it possesses almost the closest similarity in chemical composition and excellent biocompatibility with natural bone tissue. Recently, the HAp-based coating has increasingly drawn attention to improve the adhesion quality in metallic biomaterials. This study comprehensively reviews the current progress in the adhesion qualities of HAp-based coatings on metallic biomaterials specifically for the biomedical application. It has been observed that a surface that meets the minimum unique characteristics will enhance the bonding force between the coating and metallic biomaterial as the substrate. Critical factors of coating/substrate materials, coating techniques, and coating thickness that determine the adhesion quality are thoroughly identified and discussed. The surface structure and microstructure of HAp-based coating are also reviewed to confirm the findings.     

Recent trends in environmentally friendly water-borne polyurethane coatings: A review

Environmentally friendly waterborne polyurethane (WPU) coatings are used extensively due to their low VOCs emission than solvent based PU coatings. Additionally, WPU coatings have low temperature flexibility, pH stability, water resistance, superior solvent resistance, outstanding weathering resistance and desirable chemical and mechanical properties. This review provides an overview on the recent developments of WPU coatings and their value added applications in the coatings and paint industry. UV-cured WPU coatings provide an important class of green and ecofriendly coatings with outstanding mechanical properties and rapid curing system. Hyper-branched polyurethanes (PUs) show interesting properties, such as high solubility, reactivity and good rheological behavior owing to multiple end groups, compact molecular structure and diminishing chain entanglement. Inherently, WPU coatings have reduced stiffness and mechanical strength that can be increased by the addition of nanoparticles, like Ag, Cu, TiO₂, SiO₂ and many more. Fire retardants, commonly phosphorous, are incorporated in the WPU structure to increase the flame retardancy of WPU coatings.     

Local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy: A review and some recent developments

Local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (LEIS), which provides a powerful tool for exploration of electrode heterogeneity, has its roots in the development of electrochemical techniques employing scanning of microelectrodes. The historical development of local impedance spectroscopy measurements is reviewed, and guidelines are presented for implementation of LEIS. The factors which control the limiting spatial resolution of the technique are identified. The mathematical foundation for the technique is reviewed, including definitions of interfacial and local Ohmic impedances on both local and global scales. Experimental results for the reduction of ferricyanide show the correspondence between local and global impedances. Simulations for a single Faradaic reaction on a disk electrode embedded in an insulator are used to show that the Ohmic contribution, traditionally considered to be a real value, can have complex character in certain frequency ranges.     

Light-activated room-temperature gas sensors based on metal oxide nanostructures: A review on recent advances

Many recent efforts are directed toward developing high-performance gas sensors based on metal oxide nanostructures operating at room temperature, as it lowers the power consumption, simplifies the device fabrication as well as improves the safety and stability of the sensors. The light-activated gas sensing technology was intensively studied because of its high effectiveness in improving the gas sensing performance of metal oxide nanostrctures at room temperature. This review is covers comprehensive advances in the emerging and feasible approaches for improving nanostructured metal oxide-based gas sensors by light activation, especially the progresses made in the last five years. We first summarize the effects of light-activation on gas sensing behavior of metal oxide nanostructures with some new insights into the related mechanisms. For enhancing the light-activated gas-sensing performance some possible strategies are then introduced, which include the modification of the size, dimension, nanoarchitecture, porous or hierarchical structure and doping or defect engineering, as well as the construction of nanocomposite sensing materials. Finally, some recent developments in light source and device structure design towards low power gas sensor systems are discussed. We hope that this review would provide some useful information to the design of light-activated metal oxide gas sensors operating at room temperature.