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Dual-functional benzoxazine/epoxy composite coating offers corrosion protection and antibacterial applications
A novel sol-gel coating integrates benzoxazine and epoxy to achieve exceptional corrosion resistance and antibacterial activity, paving the way for multifunctional surface protection.
Researchers have developed a benzoxazine (Bz)/epoxy (EP) composite-modified sol-gel coating (SG-PBE) that offers dual functionality: corrosion resistance and antibacterial activity. The innovative coating incorporates Bz-functionalised silane (BzPTES) and (3-glycidyloxypropyl)triethoxysilane (GPTES), achieving a precisely tailored crosslinked structure through optimised curing procedures.
Experimental results revealed that increasing the curing degree enhances crosslinking density, thereby improving corrosion protection. The SG-PBE180 formulation, with an 85.19 % Bz conversion and 95.99 % EP conversion, demonstrated superior performance, maintaining a low-frequency impedance modulus exceeding 1 MΩ·cm² after 30 days in 3.5 % NaCl immersion tests. Its corrosion resistance was attributed to reduced intramolecular hydrogen bonding and lower water wettability.
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Antibacterial efficacy against common pathogens
SG-PBE180 also exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity due to the presence of ring-closed benzoxazine precursors. It achieved inhibition rates of 99.97 % against E. coli and 99.99 % against S. aureus, successfully integrating corrosion protection with antimicrobial properties.
This dual-functional coating represents a significant advancement in multifunctional surface protection, offering promising applications in industries requiring long-term durability and hygiene.
Source: Song, S. et al., Dual-functional benzoxazine/epoxy composite modified sol-gel coating for corrosion protection and antibacterial applications. Progress in Organic Coatings, 109840 (2025).
