Transparent Surfactant/Epoxy Composite Coatings with Self‐Healing and Superhydrophilic Properties. Issue 7 (16th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Wei; Wu, Gang; Tan, Jinhui; Yu, Xufeng; Sun, Gang; You, Bo
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular materials and engineering. Volume 304:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-04-16
• Subjects: composite coatings -- self‐healing -- superhydrophilic; Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201800765
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1438-7492

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, highly transparent, robust, and superhydrophilic polyethylene glycol tert ‐octylphenyl ether nonionic surfactant/epoxy (Triton X‐100/epoxy, TXE) composite coatings are successfully prepared with a facile, one‐step drop‐casting method by mixing Triton X‐100 with an epoxy resin and an amine curing agent. The hydrogen bond reaction between the hydroxyl group of Triton X‐100 and the ether group of the epoxy resin improves the compatibility and reduces the glass transition temperature ( T g ) of the TXE composite coatings. The free Triton X‐100 surfactant easily accumulates on the surface of the TXE composite coatings, which improves the hydrophilicity of the TXE composite coatings. The TXE composite coatings are self‐healable because of their low T g and the migration of Triton X‐100 small molecule surfactant. Any damage arising from denting, cutting, or wiping by tetrahydrofuran can be healed, and the composite coating can regain its superhydrophilic properties through a heating process. The TXE composite coatings demonstrate excellent acid, alkali, salt, high temperature, and ultrasonic‐resistant properties. This facile preparation technique has the potential to be applied in the scalable fabrication of multifunctional coatings in anti‐fogging, oil–water separation, and optical–electric devices. Abstract : Transparent superhydrophilic coatings are fabricated by a one step drop‐casting method through mixing Triton x‐100 with epoxy resin and amine curing agent. The coatings are self‐healable because of its low glass transition temperature and the migration of Triton x‐100 molecule. The coatings are self‐healable and transparent that can be used in anti‐fogging and oil‐water separation.