Antibacterial waterborne epoxy coatings containing poly m-aminophenol-deposited graphene oxide

Abstract Waterborne epoxy coatings with poly m-aminophenol (PmAP)-deposited graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated on metal surfaces for the purpose of bacteria and corrosion prevention. PmAP functioned as the antibacterial agent and corrosion inhibitor. The deposition of PmAP on GO sheets reduced the diameter of PmAP particles from over 800 nm to around 400 nm, while the specific surface area was increased for about 10 times. The distribution of PmAP in the epoxy matrix was promoted by the deposition of PmAP on GO, which in turn improved the antibacterial and anticorrosion efficiency of PmAP. When the GO/PmAP ratio was 1:10, the sterilizing ratios of the composite coating against E. coli and S. aureus were 95 % and 97 % after 3h’s contact, which were 39 % and 25 % higher than PmAP reinforced epoxy coatings without GO. The corrosion current density of the composite coatings was two orders of magnitude lower than neat epoxy coatings and PmAP reinforced epoxy coatings.