Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Carbon-based Nanoparticle Reinforcement on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Coatings

Lu-Yang Xu; Xing-Yu Wang; Yi-Zhou Lin; Ying Huang; Cheng-Cheng Tao; Da-Wei Zhang

doi:10.1007/s10118-025-3252-7

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Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Carbon-based Nanoparticle Reinforcement on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Coatings

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2024-12-31

- Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Carbon-based Nanoparticle Reinforcement on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Coatings
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 43, Issue 1, Pages: 211-224(2025)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58102, USA
  b.School of Construction Management Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette 47907, USA
- Author bio：
  
  dawei.zhang.1@ndsu.edu
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-025-3252-7
  CLC：
- Received：27 August 2024，
  
  Revised：2024-10-10，
  
  Accepted：14 October 2024，
  
  Online First：25 December 2024，
  
  Published：01 January 2025
- Accepted：
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Xu, L. Y.; Wang, X. Y.; Lin, Y. Z.; Huang, Y.; Tao, C. C.; Zhang, D. W. Experimental and numerical investigations of carbon-based nanoparticle reinforcement on microstructure and mechanical properties of epoxy coatings. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2025, 43, 211–224

Lu-Yang Xu, Xing-Yu Wang, Yi-Zhou Lin, et al. Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Carbon-based Nanoparticle Reinforcement on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Coatings[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2025, 43(1): 211-224.
Xu, L. Y.; Wang, X. Y.; Lin, Y. Z.; Huang, Y.; Tao, C. C.; Zhang, D. W. Experimental and numerical investigations of carbon-based nanoparticle reinforcement on microstructure and mechanical properties of epoxy coatings. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2025, 43, 211–224 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-025-3252-7.

Lu-Yang Xu, Xing-Yu Wang, Yi-Zhou Lin, et al. Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Carbon-based Nanoparticle Reinforcement on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Coatings[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2025, 43(1): 211-224. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-025-3252-7.

摘要

Three carbon-based nanoparticles with different geometric shape were incorporated into epoxy to fabricate nanocomposite coatings. Spherical nanodiamonds (NDs)

cylindrical carbon nanotubes (CNTs)

and planar graphenes (GNPs) exhibited various microstructural morphologies and dispersion characteristics within the epoxy matrix

leading to variations in several physical and mechanical properties of nanocomposite coatings.

Abstract

The addition of nanoparticles serves as an effective reinforcement strategy for polymeric coatings

utilizing their unique characteristics as well as extraordinary mechanical

thermal

and electrical properties. The exceptionally high surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles imparts remarkable reinforcing potentials

yet it simultaneously gives rise to a prevalent tendency for nanoparticles to agglomerate into clusters within nanocomposites. The agglomeration behavior of the nanoparticles is predominantly influenced by their distinct microstructures and varied weight concentrations. This study investigated the synergistic effects of nanoparticle geometric shape and weight concentration on the dispersion characteristics of nanoparticles and the physical-mechanical performances of nano-reinforced epoxy coatings. Three carbon-based nanoparticles

nanodiamonds (NDs)

carbon nanotubes (CNTs)

and graphenes (GNPs)

were incorporated into epoxy coatings at three weight concentrations (0.5%

1.0%

and 2.0%). The experimental findings reveal that epoxy coatings reinforced with NDs demonstrated the most homogenous dispersion characteristics

lowest viscosity

and reduced porosity among all the nanoparticles

which could be attributed to the spherical geometry shape. Due to the superior physical properties

ND-reinforced nanocomposites displayed the highest abrasion resistance and tensile properties. Specifically

the 1.0wt% ND-reinforced nanocomposites exhibited 60%

52%

and 97% improvements in mass lost

tensile strength

and failure strain

respectively

compared to pure epoxy. Furthermore

the representative volume element (RVE) modeling was employed to validate the experimental results

while highlighting the critical role of nanoparticle agglomeration

orientation

and the presence of voids on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Nano-reinforced epoxy coatings with enhanced mechanical properties are well-suited for application in protective coatings for pipelines

industrial equipment

and automotive parts

where high wear resistance is essential.

关键词

Keywords

references

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