Ionic liquid-modified Ti3C2Tx MXene nanocomposites: Enhanced corrosion and wear resistance in waterborne epoxy coatings

The application of MXenes in organic coatings has been limited due to their tendency to agglomerate in polymer matrices, which is primarily caused by poor interfacial interactions with the polymer, and their susceptibility to oxidation under ambient conditions, resulting from the exposed Ti atoms on the surface. Here, Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene nanosheets were covalently modified with ionic liquids to prepare functionalized hybrid materials, which were subsequently incorporated as fillers into waterborne epoxy resin. The amine-functionalized ionic liquids improve the interaction between Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene and the polymer matrix, enhancing dispersion and reducing oxidation by minimizing its environmental exposure. Corrosion resistance and tribological behaviors demonstrated that the composite coating exhibited superior anti-corrosion performance, achieving a five-fold increase in the lowest frequency impedance modulus, and enhanced wear resistance, with a 64.93 % reduction in wear rate. These improvements are ascribed to the labyrinthine effect generated by the uniform dispersion of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene nanosheets and the enhanced mechanical properties of the coating, stemming from improved interfacial compatibility with the resin. This work presents a green modification strategy for Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene, offering a viable approach to enhance its practical application in organic coatings. It also outlines potential future research directions, including further optimization of the MXene-resin interface and exploration of alternative ionic liquids for functionalization.