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Antimicrobial and mechanical performance of epoxy/graphene-based powder coatings

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Abstract

Graphene-based coatings’ properties have been thoroughly explored in some scientific and technological branches. However, their use in antimicrobial surfaces is still a developing field. The study of new methods of producing graphene-based coatings that have good mechanical and protective properties, microwave absorption performance and the superficial antimicrobial activity, presents itself as a necessary research. In this context, epoxy/graphene nanoplatelets powder coatings applied on carbon steel sheets were evaluated for their properties. An amount of 1 and 2% (by wt) of graphene nanoplatelets was added to the solid epoxy resin and homogenized by mixing processes without using solvents. They were characterized for tests of mechanical properties of adhesion, impact, and flexibility, for surface tension, brightness, antifouling and antimicrobial activity, and microwave absorption properties. The coatings showed excellent mechanical performance in terms of adhesion, impact resistance and flexibility. The graphene nanoplatelets provided greater hydrophobicity to the coatings, which had a contact angle greater than 90°. The coatings containing graphene demonstrated great potential for the microwave absorption and antimicrobial surface. Different adhesion processes of marine aquatic organisms were observed, indicating the active role of the nanoparticle in the nanocomposite coating. These results indicated potential application of these coatings in different industries such as food, healthcare, maritime and defense.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge CAPES, FAPERGS and CNPq for the financial support and grants as well as that to the University of Caxias do Sul (UCS) for all analysis presented in this paper. In particular to UCS Aquarium for its partnership in conducting tests in a simulated marine environment and to the UCS Microbiology Laboratory for its support in microbiological analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Program in Process and Technology Engineering (PGEPROTEC), University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil

    Andrielen B. Vanzetto, Marcos V. Marocco, Lilian V. R. Beltrami, Ademir J. Zattera & Diego Piazza

  2. Laboratory of Polymers (LPOL), University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Caxias do Sul, RS, 95070-490, Brazil

    Gabriel G. de Lima

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  1. Andrielen B. Vanzetto
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  2. Marcos V. Marocco
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  3. Gabriel G. de Lima
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Correspondence to Andrielen B. Vanzetto.

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Vanzetto, A.B., Marocco, M.V., de Lima, G.G. et al. Antimicrobial and mechanical performance of epoxy/graphene-based powder coatings. Iran Polym J 32, 1–11 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-022-01107-y

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