Synthesis and characterization of CuO-hybrid silica nanocomposite coatings on SS 304

Pure and CuO-dispersed hybrid silica nanocomposite coatings were generated using sols synthesized from acid catalyzed hydrolysis and condensation of n-propyl trimethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane in combination with copper nitrate. Coatings were initially deposited on soda lime glass substrates by dip coating followed by heat treatment at 150, 250 and 350 °C for 2 h in air and characterized. Coatings were subsequently deposited by dip coating on stainless steel 304 substrates. An optimized heat treatment temperature of 250 °C was chosen based on the contact angles of coatings on soda lime glass substrates and results of thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis on the dried gels obtained from the sol synthesized from the combination of n-propyl trimethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane. Gels heat-treated at 250 °C were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy for crystallinity. Characterization of the coatings was carried out with respect to thickness, water contact angle and adhesion. Corrosion testing of coatings on SS 304 was studied by potentiodynamic polarization measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy after 1 h and 24 h exposure to 3.5% NaCl. The corrosion resistances of CuO-dispersed hybrid silica coatings after 1 h and 24 h exposure to 3.5% NaCl solution were higher than that of pure hybrid silica coatings, both of which had thicknesses ranging from 140 nm–200 nm.