Enhanced corrosion resistance of silicone resin: grafting nano-TiO2 onto graphene oxide via thiol–ene click chemistry

Abstract

High-temperature corrosion is a major factor contributing to the degradation of industrial components, and composite coatings are one of the effective solutions to this issue. To solve this problem, we design an innovative strategy that utilizes thiol–ene click chemistry to graft nano titanium dioxide (TiO₂) onto graphene oxide (GO), forming a composite coating with methyl phenyl silicone resin. This method significantly enhances the thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and self-cleaning properties of the coating. Detailed characterization using SEM, TEM, FTIR, and XRD confirmed the successful covalent bonding of TiO₂ with GO, resulting in a composite coating with excellent structural stability. The modification markedly enhances the dispersion and interfacial compatibility of GO-TiO₂ within the silicone resin matrix, leading to superior mechanical integrity. Electrochemical analysis reveals that GO-TiO₂ extends corrosion pathways and reduces ion permeation, significantly boosting the corrosion resistance of the resin. Notably, the incorporation of just 0.2 wt% GO-TiO₂ results in a significant enhancement of the coating thermal stability and its resistance to degradation in high-temperature corrosive environments, while also imparting superior self-cleaning properties. This efficient grafting method offers a transformative framework for developing next-generation nanocomposite coatings with heightened resilience for extreme operational settings.