Surface functionalization of Ti3C2Tx and its application in aqueous polymer nanocomposites for reinforcing corrosion protection

MXenes (Ti 3 C 2 T x ), a novel two-dimensional (2D) material, exhibits higher application potential in many fields due to the layered-structure and other unique characteristics. Here, the few-layer Ti 3 C 2 T x is successfully fabricated via etching and ultrasonic. The [3-(2-Aminoethyl) aminopropyl] trimethoxy silane (silane coupling agent, AEAPTES) is used to modify the as-prepared Ti 3 C 2 T x for adjusting wettability . Then, the functional Ti 3 C 2 T x (Ti 3 C 2 @Si) with different amount is introduced into waterborne polyurethane (WPU) for enhancing corrosion resistance performance. The corrosion resistance performance is evaluated by Tafel curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy . The results of wettability reveal that the hydrophobicity of Ti 3 C 2 @Si is significantly improved with the water contact up to 136–142°. The results of anti-corrosion measurement demonstrate that the WPU endowed with Ti 3 C 2 @Si presents the excellent corrosion resistance performance. The 0.1%Ti 3 C 2 @Si/WPU exhibits the lowest corrosion current density (2.67 × 10 −9 A/cm 2 ) and the largest corrosion resistance (3.05 × 10 6  Ω). Moreover, after 42 days’ immersion, the lowest frequency impedance of 0.1%Ti 3 C 2 @Si/WPU composite coating was 3.68 × 10 6  Ω cm 2 . This work is of great importance for potential applications of Ti 3 C 2 T x in the anti-corrosion field.