Influence of active nanofiller ZIF-8 metal-organic framework (MOF) by microemulsion method on anticorrosion of epoxy coatings

In this study, uniform sized ZIF-8 was synthesized by microemulsion method, and a series of ZIF-8 modified epoxy coatings with different mass fractions were successfully prepared. EIS analysis revealed the improved anti-corrosion performance of the modified epoxy coating with increasing mass fraction of ZIF-8 fillers, and this was confirmed by the results of the salt spray and adhesion tests. In addition, the tensile strength and friction properties of the epoxy coating have also been greatly improved. These phenomena were explained by the chemical cross-linking between ZIF-8 fillers and epoxy. The chemical cross-linking increased both the cross-linking density and the barrier performance of the epoxy coating, consequently improving its anti-corrosion and mechanical properties. • A novel nanoporous zinc-based ZIF-8 functional MOF was constructed by microemulsion method. • ZIF-8 is an active filler for epoxy resin which can resolve the filler/resin interface problem via the chemical reaction. • ZIF-8 is beneficial to improve the long-term corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of epoxy coating.