Corrosion Rate and Mechanism of Degradation of Chitosan/TiO2 Coatings Deposited on MgZnCa Alloy in Hank's Solution.

Overly fast corrosion degradation of biodegradable magnesium alloys has been a major problem over the last several years. The development of protective coatings by using biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic material such as chitosan ensures a reduction in the rate of corrosion of Mg alloys in simulated body fluids. In this study, chitosan/TiO2 nanocomposite coating was used for the first time to hinder the corrosion rate of Mg19Zn1Ca alloy in Hank's solution. The main goal of this research is to investigate and explain the corrosion degradation mechanism of Mg19Zn1Ca alloy coated by nanocomposite chitosan-based coating. The chemical composition, structural analyses, and corrosion tests were used to evaluate the protective properties of the chitosan/TiO2 coating deposited on the Mg19Zn1Ca substrate. The chitosan/TiO2 coating slows down the corrosion rate of the magnesium alloy by more than threefold (3.6 times). The interaction of TiO2 (NPs) with the hydroxy and amine groups present in the chitosan molecule cause their uniform distribution in the chitosan matrix. The chitosan/TiO2 coating limits the contact of the substrate with Hank's solution.

Graphene-Based Reinforcing Filler for Double-Layer Acrylic Coatings.

This study aims to demonstrate the remarkable features of graphene-based fillers, which are able to improve the protective performance of acrylic coatings. Furthermore, the joint application of a cataphoretic primer and a spray top coat, containing graphene and functionalized graphene oxide flakes, respectively, enables the deposition of a double-layer coating with high conductivity and abrasion resistance properties, capable of offering excellent corrosion resistance to the metal substrate. The surface morphology of the single- and double-layer coatings was investigated by optical and electron microscopies, analysing the defectiveness introduced in the polymer matrix due to the filler agglomeration. The behavior in aggressive environments was assessed by exposure of the samples in the salt spray chamber, evaluating the blister formation and the adhesion level of the coatings. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were employed to study the corrosion protection properties of the coatings, whose conductivity and abrasion resistance features were analysed by conductivity assessment and scrub tests, respectively. The incorporation of graphene-based fillers in the cataphoretic primer improves the corrosion protection properties of the system, while the graphene flakes provide the top coat spray layer with high conductivity and excellent abrasion resistance features. Thus, this work demonstrates the possibility of employing different types of graphene-based fillers and deposition methods for the creation of multifunctional coatings.

Effect of the Organic Functional Group on the Grafting Ability of Trialkoxysilanes onto Graphene Oxide: A Combined NMR, XRD, and ESR Study.

The functional properties displayed by graphene oxide (GO)-polymer nanocomposites are strongly affected by the dispersion ability of GO sheets in the polymeric matrix, which can be largely improved by functionalization with organosilanes. The grafting to GO of organosilanes with the general formula RSi(OCH3)3 is generally explained by the condensation reactions of silanols with GO reactive groups. In this study, the influence of the organic group on the RSi(OCH3)3 grafting ability was analyzed in depth, taking into account the interactions of the R end chain group with GO oxidized groups. Model systems composed of commercial graphene oxide reacted with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS), 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS), and 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, (MaPTMS), respectively, were characterized by natural abundance 13C, 15N and 29Si solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and electron spin resonance (ESR). The silane organic tail significantly impacts the grafting, both in terms of the degree of functionalization and direct interaction with GO reactive sites. Both the NMR and XRD proved that this is particularly relevant for APTMS and to a lower extent for MPTMS. Moreover, the epoxy functional groups on the GO sheets appeared to be the preferential anchoring sites for the silane condensation reaction. The characterization approach was applied to the GO samples prepared by the nitric acid etching of graphene and functionalized with the same organosilanes, which were used as a filler in acrylic coatings obtained by cataphoresis, making it possible to correlate the structural properties and the corrosion protection ability of the layers.

Application of a Molybdenum and Tungsten Disulfide Coating to Improve Tribological Properties of Orthodontic Archwires.

Coatings incorporating nanoparticles of molybdenum and tungsten disulfide (MoS2 and WS2)-known for their lubricating properties-are applied to orthodontic stainless steel wires to verify if there is an improvement in terms of tribological properties during the sliding of the wire along the bracket. To simulate in vitro sliding of the wire along the bracket and evaluate friction 0.019 × 0.025 inches orthodontic stainless steel (SS) wires were subjected to the application, by electrodeposition, of Ni, Ni + MoS2, and Ni + WS2. The samples produced were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy and assessment of resistance to bending. Thirty-two test conditions have been analyzed, arising from the combination of four types of coatings (SS bare wires and strings with three types of coating), two types of self-ligating bracket (Damon Q, Ormco and In-Ovation R, GAC International), two bracket-wire angles (0° and 5°), two environments (dry and wet). Analyses carried out on the samples show acceptable coatings incorporating MoS2 and WS2 and a resistance of coatings after a minimum bending. In "dry conditions" a statistically significant decrease in friction occurs for wires coated with MoS2 and WS2 if associated with the In-Ovation bracket. In "wet conditions" this decrease is observed only in isolated test conditions. Analysis of the wires after sliding tests show little wear of the applied coatings. Nanoparticles are acceptable and similar in their behavior. Improvements in terms of friction are obtained pairing coatings incorporating MoS2 and WS2 with the In-Ovation bracket in dry conditions.