An AFM and SEM characterization of protective performance of epoxy reinforced with nanometer-sized TiO2

By inserting nanoparticles into a polymer matrix, a considerable improvement of properties can be achieved. In this investigation, weight fractions of TiO2 varied from 1% to 10% scale to prepare TiO2/Epoxy nanocomposites. The surface roughness and adhesion force between atomic force microscope (AFM) tip and nanocomposites have been studied for all samples which soaked in H2SO4 solution for different periods of time of 2, 5 and 10 days. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of the epoxy surfaces reveal corrosion growth as a kind of corrosion evolution. Significant improvement in corrosion resistance of nanocomposite with 5 wt. % of TiO2 nanoparticles was achieved. Besides, adding small fraction of TiO2 nanoparticles enhanced the hardness, while samples remain amorphous.