M. Abd El-Fattah

Synthesis of cuprous oxide epoxy nanocomposite as an environmentally antimicrobial coating.

Cuprous oxide is commonly used as a pigment; paint manufacturers begin to employ cuprous oxide as booster biocides in their formulations, to replace the banned organotins as the principal antifouling compounds. Epoxy coating was reinforced with cuprous oxide nanoparticles (Cu2O NPs). The antibacterial as well as antifungal activity of Cu2O epoxy nanocomposite (Cu2O EN) coating films was investigated. Cu2O NPs were also experimented for antibiofilm and time-kill assay. The thermal stability and the mechanical properties of Cu2O EN coating films were also investigated. The antimicrobial activity results showed slowdown, the growth of organisms on the Cu2O EN coating surface. TGA results showed that incorporating Cu2O NPs into epoxy coating considerably enhanced the thermal stability and increased the char residue. The addition of Cu2O NPs at lower concentration into epoxy coating also led to an improvement in the mechanical resistance such as scratch and abrasion. Cu2O NPs purity was confirmed by XRD. The TEM photograph demonstrated that the synthesized Cu2O NPs were of cubic shape and the average diameter of the crystals was around 25nm. The resulting perfect dispersion of Cu2O NPs in epoxy coating revealed by SEM ensured white particles embedded in the epoxy matrix.

Nanocrystalline cellulose as an eco-friendly reinforcing additive to polyurethane coating for augmented anticorrosive behavior

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and micro-powdered cellulose (MPC) were extracted from rice straw by mechanical and alkali treatment methods, then characterized via infrared spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. A series of polyurethane nanocrystalline cellulose composite (PNCCC) and polyurethane micro-powdered cellulose composite (PMPCC) coatings were prepared with various loading levels of NCC and MPC from 0.5 to 2.0 wt.%, and the coatings were applied onto the pretreated mild steel substrate at room temperature. The results showed that the NCC and MPC influenced positively the studied properties of the polyurethane coating; furthermore the most pronounced anticorrosive properties were obtained at 1 wt.% NCC and MPC, as confirmed by open circuit potential (OCP) study, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study and salt spray test. However, the optimum enhancement of mechanical properties was found at 1.5 wt.% loading level, after which further loading of NCC and MPC led to the reduction in the mechanical properties.

Effect of short oil‐length alkyd additive on the properties of coal tar binder

Purpose – Demands for coatings with superior technical characteristics have induced the use of composite coatings, which usually represent an extremely strong product. The resin blend technique is a simple and useful method for improving paint properties. Coal tar resins are the most economical coating extensively used in the industry; short oil‐length alkyd resins are usually used for air and force‐dry industrial coatings for metal surfaces. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate coating blends composed of these resins, in particular, the effects of short oil‐length alkyd additive on the properties of coal tar binder.Design/methodology/approach – One way to achieve new types of binders is to make combinations of the existing ones, in an ideal case retaining the desirable properties of both. The alkyd has important properties over the original drying oil. To achieve the goal of improving coal tar resin properties, short oil‐length alkyd was blended with it. The prepared short oil‐length alkyd was charac...