Effect of organically modified titania and zirconia nanoparticles on characteristics, properties of coating based on acrylic emulsion polymer for outdoor applications

Abstract Effect of titania nanoparticles modified with 3 wt% [3‐(methacrylloxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane (m‐TiO 2 NPs) and zirconia nanoparticles modified with 3 wt% (3‐glycidyloxypropyl)triethoxysilane (m‐ZrO 2 NPs) on properties and morphology of acrylic emulsion polymer coating was investigated. With suitable weight ratio of m‐TiO 2 /m‐ZrO 2 NPs, the acrylic coating could be improved abrasion resistance, weather durability, reflectance index (400–1400 nm) as well as thermal‐oxidation stability in comparison with the coatings having the same content of single modified nanoparticles. The starting thermal degradation temperature of acrylic coating filled by mixture of m‐TiO 2 NPs and m‐ZrO 2 NPs was approximately 10°C higher than that of the acrylic coating contained separately modified nanoparticles. The mixture of m‐TiO 2 NPs and m‐ZrO 2 NPs were used in solar reflective paint. Replacement of rutile TiO 2 microparticles by 1 wt% mixture of modified nanoparticles, the solar reflective paint (SRP) could be improved water resistance and cooling performance. The water permeability of the SRP coating with mixture of modified nanoparticles was reduced by nearly 50%. The results of cooling performance test indicated that SRP loaded 1 wt% (m‐TiO 2 NPs and m‐ZrO 2 NPs) (weight ratio of 1/1) replaced 1 wt% TiO 2 microparticles could reduce outside temperature of chamber test by nearly 11°C and ambient inside temperature of chamber test by 7.5°C. This novel solar reflective paint is considered as promising material for outdoor applications.