Hydrophobic bio-epoxy coatings for easy cleaning applications

• Main Author: Tay, Shu Ming
• Other Authors: Chen Zhong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Biomaterials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/75659
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Over the past years, the scientific community, as well as the world’s coatings industries have seen the introduction of hydrophobic and superhydrophobic polymer-based coatings, with exceptional good water repellence properties. These coatings have captured the attention of many academia because of their performance in anti-icing, anti-corrosion and easy-cleaning applications. Epoxy resins are common pre-polymers used in such coatings industries, and due to their usual hydrophilic nature, preparation of hydrophobic coatings from such resins is a challenge. Moreover, approximately 90% of the world’s epoxy production is prepared from Bisphenol A (BPA), where BPA is a compound prepared from petroleum and such petrochemicals pose a threat to the human endocrinal system. Therefore, this project mainly focuses on the development of hydrophobic coatings using a proposed good bio-based precursor – Isosorbide, as an epoxy resin alternative for BPA. To prepare hydrophobic coatings from the hydrophilic isosorbide resins, a suitable hydrophobic curing agent is needed. The ultimate aim of this project is to utilise suitable hydrophobic curing agent & hydrophobic modifier together with isosorbide resin to achieve a hydrophobic bio-based epoxy coating. Thereafter, the easy-cleaning ability of such coatings can be determined by the study of wetting and mechanical properties of the bio-based coatings for the curing agent used. This report evaluates the technique of synthesizing hydrophobic coatings from the spin coating method. Additionally, the prepared formulations of hydrophobic coatings were characterized with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and contact angle goniometer to determine its wettability, thermal and mechanical properties. Finally, expected challenges and possible recommendations involved in this project are also discussed.