Enhanced Coating Properties of Ni-La-Ferrites/Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites

Coating properties of new Ni-La-ferrites/epoxy resin nanocomposites has been achieved using modified epoxy resin with Ni-La-ferrite nanoparticles in the form of NiLaFeO4/epoxy nanocomposites using electrochemical impedance and sorption of water measurements. Simple solution method with ultrasonic assistance was used in the preparation of the new nanocomposites in situ while epoxy resin was prepared. The new materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The nanocrystalline NiLaFeO4 showed a good distribution and high compatibility forming strong interfacial adhesion within the epoxy matrix. Furthermore, it had ability to facilitate thermal degradation of the epoxy resin nano-composite due to its catalytic effect. Temperatures at 10, 25, 50% weight loss and the normalized solid residue left at 500 degrees C (NR500) were measured. The presence of nanocrystalline NiLaFeO4 stabilized the char residue obtained at 500 degrees C in the resulting composites. The Ni-La-ferrite nanoparticles decreased water sorption (WS) of the epoxy. The 5% and 10%-Ni-La-ferrites/epoxy nanocomposites showed least amount of WS among the epoxy composites. The 5 and 10% Ni-La-ferrite nanoparticles contents enhanced significantly the barrier behavior of the epoxy as coating of stainless steel. (C) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers