A novel and green method to synthesize a epoxidized biomass eucommia gum as the nanofiller in the epoxy composite coating with excellent anticorrosive performance

Abstract The design and preparation of a long term effective anticorrosion coating in a large scale in the harsh environment is still an enormous challenge for the anticorrosion technology. Herein, Eucommia gum, a natural biomass rubber material, had been epoxidized by a novel and green method involved in an interfacial reaction using the water as a dispersant. Epoxidized biomass eucommia gum (EEUG) is utilized as a functional filler in the synthesis of epoxy composite coating. The epoxy groups in the EEUG can react with the hardener, not only resulting in the event dispersion of EEUG in the composite coating, but also leading to the formation of the much richer crosslinking densities. A substantial improvement in the corrosion protection and the tensile strength were obtained. For example, EEUG/epoxy composite coatings with 1 wt% EEUG still maintains excellent anticorrosion performance with the high polarization resistance (Rf) values of 8.846 × 108 Ω cm2 after 30 days of immersion times in the harsh environment (3.5 wt% NaCl solution, pH = 7). The implication of the present study for utilization of the natural biomass rubber material to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of polymeric matrixes has been discussed, and a great anticorrosion coating is provided.