Interface regulation of graphene/carbon nanotube on the thermal conductivity and anticorrosion performance of their nanocomposite

Polymer matrix composite with inorganic fillers, can generate new properties and functionalities. In this paper, a silicone modified acrylic resin-based (Si-MA) nanocomposite that has a high thermal conductivity and a good corrosion protection was prepared. We found that the graphene nanosheets (GNS) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) can be uniformly dispersed into Si-MA after surface modification with N,N'-(cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-diylidene)bis(2-hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxy-3-(4-(trihydroxysilyebutoxy)propyl)-3-(4-(trihydroxysily)butoxy)propan-1-aminium) (TSiPD). The introduced the functional silanol hydroxyl groups result in good interfacial bonding between the nanofillers and Si-MA. The Si-MA nanocomposite with 9.9 wt% modified GNS and 0.1 wt% modified CNT shows a high thermal conductivity of 2.97 W/(m.K), which is caused by the formation of a honeycomb structure made of 2D GNS and 1D CNT, and the decrease of the interface heat resistance. Moreover, The Si-MA nanocomposite with 9.9 wt% modified GNS and 0.1 wt% modified CNT demonstrates good corrosion protection, which is caused by the good mechanical properties, hydrophobic performance and efficient barrier effect of the nanocomposite fillers. This nanocomposite coating has great potential application in the field of heat exchange corrosion protective coating for the heat exchangers.