Surface functionalization of Ti3C2Tx and its application in aqueous polymer nanocomposites for reinforcing corrosion protection

MXenes (Ti3C2Tx), a novel two-dimensional (2D) material, exhibits higher application potential in many fields due to the layered-structure and other unique characteristics. Here, the few-layer Ti3C2Tx is successfully fabricated via etching and ultrasonic. The [3-(2-Aminoethyl) aminopropyl] trimethoxy silane (silane coupling agent, AEAPTES) is used to modify the as-prepared Ti3C2Tx for adjusting wettability. Then, the functional Ti3C2Tx (Ti3C2@Si) with different amount is introduced into waterborne polyurethane (WPU) for enhancing corrosion resistance performance. The corrosion resistance performance is evaluated by Tafel curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results of wettability reveal that the hydrophobicity of Ti3C2@Si is significantly improved with the water contact up to 136–142°. The results of anti-corrosion measurement demonstrate that the WPU endowed with Ti3C2@Si presents the excellent corrosion resistance performance. The 0.1%Ti3C2@Si/WPU exhibits the lowest corrosion current density (2.67 × 10−9 A/cm2) and the largest corrosion resistance (3.05 × 106 Ω). Moreover, after 42 days’ immersion, the lowest frequency impedance of 0.1%Ti3C2@Si/WPU composite coating was 3.68 × 106 Ω cm2. This work is of great importance for potential applications of Ti3C2Tx in the anti-corrosion field.