Cellulose nanofibers to assist the release of healing agents in epoxy coatings

Epoxy monomer and amine curing agents were immobilized on cellulose nanofibers (CNF). Obtained epoxy immobilized CNF (EiCNF) and amine curing agent immobilized CNF (AiCNF) were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanism and nature of interaction in EiCNF and AiCNF were elucidated. While chemical interaction was observed between amine curing agent and CNF, only physical interaction exists between epoxy monomer and CNF. Preliminary investigation of self-healing ability of epoxy coating incorporated in both EiCNF and AiCNF was carried out. The dual healing agents supported on CNF were effective in imparting self-healing ability to epoxy coatings.