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Three-dimensional (3D) interpenetrating network structure epoxy composites were fabricated based on the modified carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced flexible polyurethane (PU) sponge. CNTs were first functionalized with polydopamine (PDA) as revealed by TEM imaging, which is formed via the oxidative self-polymerization of dopamine. Then the functionalized CNTs (CNT–PDA) were successfully anchored on the skeleton surfaces of sponge, forming a continuous 3D carbon network. The interfacial interaction between modified PU sponge and epoxy (EP) matrix was significantly enhanced due to the covalent linkage of PDA. Improvement in the thermal stability of CNT–PDA/PU3D/EP composites was observed by TG analysis and related to the CNTs anchored on the skeleton of sponge. The tribological properties of pure EP, PU3D/EP and CNT–PDA/PU3D/EP composites were comparatively investigated in terms of different loads and velocities. Results demonstrated that CNT–PDA/PU3D/EP composites exhibited the best tribological performance owing to the strong interfacial interaction and the 3D carbon network structure. In particular, the wear resistance of CNT–PDA/PU3D/EP composites was 6.2 times and 3 times higher than those of pure EP and PU3D/EP composites under the applied load of 1.6 MPa, respectively.

A robust superamphiphobic epoxy resin (EP)/modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) (MPVDF)/fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) composite coating has been prepared through the combination of chemical modification and spraying technique. Nanometer silica (SiO 2 , 2.5 wt.%) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs, 2.5 wt.%) were added in the coating to construct the necessary reticulate papillae structures for superamphiphobic surface. The prepared EP composite coating demonstrated high static contact angles (166°, 155°) and low sliding angles (3°, 5°) to water and glycerol, respectively. Moreover, the prepared coating can also retain superhydrophobicity under strongly acidic and alkaline conditions. The brittleness of EP can be avoided by introducing the malleable MPVDF. The wear life of the EP composite coating with 25 wt.% FEP was improved to 18 times of the pure EP coating. The increased wear life of the coating can be attributed to the designed nano/micro structures, the self-lubrication of FEP and the chemical reaction between EP and MPVDF. The anti-corrosion performance of the coatings was investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution using potentiodynamic polarization. The results showed that the prepared superamphiphobic composite coating was most effective in corrosion resistance, primarily due to the barrier effect for the diffusion of O 2 and H 2 O molecules. It is believed that this robust superamphiphobic EP/MPVDF/FEP composite coating prepared by the facile spray method can pave a way for the large-scale application in pipeline transport.

A functionalization process with dopamine on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) has been carried out in order to enhance the tribological properties of MWNTs/epoxy resin (EP) composites. Dopamine modification is of signality for the performance of MWNTs/EP composites. The hardness and flexural strength of the composites were significantly improved with the incorporation of dopamine modified MWNTs, owning to the enhanced interfacial bonding between MWNTs and EP. Meanwhile, the thermal characterizations indicated that dopamine played an important role in improving the thermal stability of MWNTs/EP composites. More importantly, the friction and wear properties of dopamine modified MWNTs/EP composites were enhanced considerably and its wear rate was 85.8% lower than that of pure EP. Dopamine modified MWNTs were linked with the matrix by strong covalent bond to form a great network structure and impeded the movement of polymer molecule chains in the composites. Then the friction load transmitted efficiently through the network structure and the plastic deformation was restrained as well as the initiation and growth of cracks on the worn surfaces. POLYM. COMPOS., 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

A robust wear/corrosion-resistant superhydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)/carbon nanofibers (CNFs) composite coating with a water contact angle (WCA) of 164 ± 1.5° and a slide angle of 5 ± 0.2° has been fabricated through the combination of chemical etching and spraying technique. The WCA of the coating still maintains 141 ± 1.2° after 10,000 times rubbing due to the designed internal nano/micro-structure and the slide angle increases from 5 ± 0.2° to 20 ± 0.5°. The prepared coating also demonstrates excellent corrosion-resistance property under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions for 15 days. The wear-resistance of the superhydrophobic coating is approximately 5 times higher than the pure PVDF coating and commercial fluorocarbon coating. These excellent mechanical properties are attributed to the new groups of C C and C C by dehydrofluorination of PVDF and the new β-phase of PVDF by recrystallization of the α-phase. Furthermore, the enhanced adhesive ability of the coating corresponds with Grade 1 according to GB/T9286, mainly because that the interaction force among PVDF macromolecules can be intensified by chemical cross-linking and the hydroxyl groups formed on the surface of the aluminum plate by etching. It is believed that this robust multifunctional superhydrophobic coating may have the potential values in large-scale application.

Oil spillage and industrial oily wastewater have caused severe environmental concerns. A super absorbent material capable of separating oil–water mixtures, especially with a high absorption capacity and mechanical strength, is urgently desired. Here, a common and feasible approach to fabricate carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced polyurethane (PU) sponge is presented that shows superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties. The method involves the oxidative self-polymerization of dopamine and the reaction of hydrophilic polydopamine (PDA) with hydrophobic octadecylamine (ODA). The superhydrophobic stability of the as-prepared sponge with temperatures and in corrosive solutions of different pH is investigated. The as-prepared sponge could quickly and selectively absorb various kinds of oils up to 34.9 times of its own weight, and the absorbed oils can be collected by a simple squeezing process. More interestingly, the mechanical strength of the as-prepared sponge is improved due to the structural reinforcement of CNTs anchored on the sponge skeleton. Furthermore, the recovered sponge could be reused to separate oil–water mixture 150 times while maintaining its high absorption capacity. This promising multifunctional sponge exhibits significant potential as an efficient absorbent in large-scale oil–water separation applications.