Functional anti-corrosive and anti-bacterial surface coatings based on cuprous oxide/polyaniline microcomposites

Abstract

Complex processes and mismatches of anti-corrosive undercoats and anti-fouling (anti-bacterial) topcoats have serious effects on the production efficiencies and performances of coatings for marine installations. This study reports a rare dual-function coating of antimicrobial effect and anti-corrosion performance. The coating was prepared by adding cuprous oxide/polyaniline (Cu2O/PANI) composite to acrylic resin. Cu2O/PANI core–shell structure was constructed through the oxidation–reduction method. According to the different weight percentages of Cu2O in Cu2O/PANI (0%, 35%, 46%, and 100%), the performance and protection mechanism of Cu2O/PANI composites were researched. Cu2O/PANI-2 (weight percentages of Cu2O was 35%) displays an excellent anti-corrosive effect, due to the improved dispersibility of PANI in coating and the enlarged area of effective contact between the PANI and Fe-based metal. And the superior antimicrobial property of Cu2O/PANI-2 is responsible for the better adsorbability towards bacteria, which can be accurately anchored and shortens the function routes of Cu2+. Considering the anti-corrosive and antibacterial applications, the developed Cu2O/PANI-2 has a far-reaching influence on marine development.

Keywords

• Cuprous oxide
• Polyaniline
• Anti-corrosion
• Bacteriostasis
• Coating