Multifunctional Ag-based ternary nanocomposite incorporated epoxy coating as antibacterial, anticorrosion and antifouling agent

In this work, multifunctional Ag-based ternary nanocomposites were prepared using a simple one-potin situpolymerisation reaction. Attapulgite (ATP) was used as a supporter to deposit Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) and polyaniline (PANI) on the surface of ATP nanorods. The morphology and structure of the ATP/PANI/AgNPs nanocomposites were investigated by transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction measurements. Antibacterial activities of the ATP/PANI/AgNPs nanocomposites and coating with ATP/PANI/AgNPs againstEscherichia coliwere evaluated using the LB-agar method. The ATP/PANI/AgNPs nanocomposites were incorporated into epoxy (EP) coating for corrosion protection of carbon steel. The corrosion behaviour of the composite coating was measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS results revealed that the ATP/PANI/AgNPs modified EP coating showed the improved anticorrosion performance compared to blank coating and ATP modified EP coating. In addition, the ATP/PANI/AgNPs incorporated coating displayed an obvious antifouling property using diatom attachment assay.