Ti3C2Tx MXene/h-BN Hybrid Networks for Multifunctional Protective Epoxy Coatings

Abstract

Despite their widespread use in structural and marine environments, epoxy-based coatings often suffer from limited long-term corrosion resistance and thermal stability under aggressive service conditions. In this work, room-temperature curable epoxy coatings reinforced with MXene and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) were developed to achieve enhanced multifunctional protective performance. The epoxy system (100:34) was modified with 1.2 Wt.% MXene and varying h-BN loadings (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 wt%) to fabricate hybrid nanocomposite coatings. The addition of h-BN, an electrically insulating two-dimensional nanofiller, was intended to regulate conductive pathways, enhance thermal transport, improve structural stability, and provide an effective barrier against environmental degradation. The prepared coatings were systematically characterized to evaluate their multifunctional behaviour. The primary objective is to investigate the Water contact angle (WCA) measurements were performed to examine surface wettability, while electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel polarization analyses were conducted to assess corrosion resistance. Thermal studies were further carried out to understand heat transfer behaviour and thermal stability. The morphology of these nanocomposite coatings was examined using FE-SEM and the surface roughness was determined using atomic force microscopy. The synergistic interaction between MXene and layered h-BN promotes improved filler dispersion, controlled micro-network formation, and enhanced interfacial interactions within the epoxy matrix. The presence of h-BN contributes to the formation of a tortuous diffusion pathway that restricts the penetration of corrosive species, while MXene supports the development of a compact and stable protective network.