Influence of Water on an Epoxy/Amine-Metal Interphase: A Combined DFT and Mixing Calorimetry Approach.

Epoxy-amine systems are ubiquitous in the field of industrial thermosetting polymers, often used in a moist atmosphere. In addition, previous studies showed amine-metal interactions through the formation of an interphase, with the formation of surface complexes that may involve the formation of water molecules. However, to date, the impact of water on an epoxy/amine-metal interphase has not been specifically addressed.

The Interaction of Waterborne Epoxy/Dicyandiamide Varnishes with Metal Oxides.

For delayed crosslinking of waterborne epoxy varnishes, dicyandiamide (DICY) is often used as a latent curing agent. While, for amine-based curing agents such as diaminoethane (DAE), chemical interactions with metal oxides are well described, so far, no studies have been performed for DICY and waterborne epoxy varnishes. Hence, in this work X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to investigate reactions of DICY and varnishes with technical surfaces of Al, Zn, and Sn.

Effect of Epoxy Structure on Properties of Waterborne Coatings and Electrical Steel Laminates.

Epoxy varnishes are of high relevance to advanced steel laminates for the transformation of electric energy. Structure-property correlations of epoxy varnishes, coil coatings and electrical steel laminates are poorly described. Hence, the main objective of this paper was to develop, implement and evaluate well-defined waterborne model epoxy varnishes for electrical steel laminates, and to elucidate structure-property correlations.

Influence of Hybrid Sol-Gel Crosslinker on Self-Healing Properties for Multifunctional Coatings.

Self-healing polymers are a new class of material that has recently received a lot of attention because of the lifespan improvement it could bring to multiple applications. One of the major challenges is to obtain multifunctional materials which can self-heal and exhibit other interesting properties such as protection against corrosion. In this paper, the effect of the incorporation of an aminosilane on the properties of a self-healing organic polymer containing disulfide bond is studied on films and coatings for aluminium AA2024-T3 using simple one step in situ synthesis.

Amorphous alumina coatings: processing, structure and remarkable barrier properties.

Amorphous aluminium oxide coatings were processed by metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD); their structural characteristics were determined as a function of the processing conditions, the process was modelled considering appropriate chemical kinetic schemes, and the properties of the obtained material were investigated and were correlated with the nanostructure of the coatings. With increasing processing temperature in the range 350 degrees C-700 degrees C, subatmospheric MOCVD of alumina from aluminium tri-isopropoxide (ATI) sequentially yields partially hydroxylated amorphous aluminium oxides, amorphous Al2O3 (415 degrees C-650 degrees C) and nanostructured gamma-Al2O3 films. A numerical model for the process allowed reproducing the non uniformity of deposition rate along the substrate zone due to the depletion of ATI.

New synthesis of nanosized niobium oxides and lithium niobate particles and their characterization by XPS analysis.

This work presents a new synthesis of nano-sized lithium niobate particles by a low temperature three steps procedure. The complete protocol implies a LiH induced reduction of NbCl5 followed by in situ spontaneous oxidation into low valence niobium nano-oxides. These niobium oxides are exposed to air atmosphere leading to pure Nb2O5 formation.