Abstract: Introducing inorganic nanomaterials into a polymer matrix greatly improves the anticorrosion performance of epoxy coatings(EP); however, poor compatibility between the materials can limit the improvement in properties. In this work, based on the high interface compatibility of two-dimensional (2D) Co2(OH)2BDC (BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) in the epoxy coating that we reported in previous work, we fabricated a 2D Co2(OH)2BDC-halloysite nanotube (HNT) nanocomposite have a structure consisting of alternating of nanosheets and nanotube by in situ synthesis. The nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical and anticorrosion performance of the 2D Co2(OH)2BDC-HNT/EP coating was evaluated by mechanical tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy spectra. Compared with a conventional unreinforced epoxy coating, the 2D Co2(OH)2BDC-HNT/EP coating had higher mechanical strength and toughness, and the low-frequency impedance modulus of 2D Co2(OH)2BDC-HNT/EP coating was increased by three orders of magnitude, demonstrating the high corrosion resistance of our reinforced coating.

Key words: Composite materials, 2D Co2(OH)2BDC, HNTs, EP, Corrosion resistance