Self-assembly of SiO2 films on aluminum flakes for corrosion protection

Qixing Zhang, Weiming Zhou, Ibrahim Lawan, Samuel Etuk, Mingxin Zhang, Zaharaddeen N. Garba, Gerard Fernando, Zhanhui Yuan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Thin and dense films are required to protect aluminum flakes in waterborne coatings from corrosion while maintaining their luster. We herein report the preparation of a self-assembled SiO2 film from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) using acid- and alkali-catalyzed sol-gel processes. The different SiO2 structures formed under acid and alkali catalysis assembled into a compact SiO2 film on the aluminum flakes, imparting corrosion resistance and stability under acidic conditions. The self-assembled film obtained when the acid-catalyzed process was performed before the alkali-catalyzed process was superior to that obtained when the sequence was reversed. This film was also significantly denser than the single coatings obtained from acid or alkali catalysis alone. FTIR, XRD, BET, SEM, TG, and theoretical calculations confirmed the formation of a dense film via the self-assembly of different types of SiO2 particles. This process may also be applicable to the formation of colored aluminum flakes via coating with other metal oxides.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)196-205
Number of pages10
JournalChemical Engineering Communications
Volume209
Issue number2
Early online date16 Dec 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Keywords

  • Acid-catalyzed
  • alkali-catalyzed
  • anticorrosion
  • coating sequence
  • self-assembly
  • SiO

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

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