Fabrication and investigation of the properties of a water-based acrylic nanocomposite

Nanocomposites are defined as systems that use engineered nano materials, like silica nanoparticles, which improve the final properties of the organic coatings. The main objective of this study is to fabricate a water based acrylic nanocomposite to achieve optimal weight percentage of silica nanoparticles as reinforcement. The organic coatings were prepared by a special formulation in which silica nano particles of 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 weight percent were incorporated into the organic coatings matrix. The adhesion, pencil hardness, microhardness (Vickers), wear, roughness measurement of the film surface, water resistance viscosity tests were performed to evaluate rheological, physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the nanocomposites. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM) were employed to study the morphology and the time span for film's drying were measured. The results of SEM and OM showed that the silica nanoparticles were well dispersed up to 1.0 wt% loading and the adhesion properties, between the matrix and reinforcement particles, will be enhanced. Besides, the paint properties were optimized as 1 wt% of nanoparticles were loaded.