Ti3C2Tx MXene/MoS2 hybrid reinforcement of epoxy coating for synergistic improvement of thermo-mechanical, abrasion and UV-shielding performance

Abstract

Epoxy resin exhibits exceptional stiffness and adhesion, making it essential as a matrix for protective coatings and composites. However, their inherent brittleness, low fracture toughness, and susceptibility to thermal/UV degradation limit their performance in demanding applications. To overcome these challenges, nanofillers are incorporated into epoxy matrices to enhance their properties. In this study, 2D/2D heterostructure Ti₃C₂T_x MXene/MoS₂ (MX/MS) hybrid nanofillers were added into epoxy coatings to synergistically enhance the thermomechanical, abrasion, and UV-shielding performance of epoxy. The hybrid nanofiller was synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analyses. The incorporation of 0.5 wt% of hybrid nanofiller into epoxy coatings significantly improved thermal stability, increasing char residue from 14 % (neat epoxy) to 27 %. Mechanical properties enhancements included an increase in tensile strength by 3.5 times, 112 % higher hardness (146.6→311.4 MPa), and 45 % greater storage modulus (1354→1958 MPa). Concurrently, the coating exhibited exceptional durability, reducing abrasion wear rate by 58 % (6.5→2.7 μg/cycle) and UV color change (ΔE) by 62 % (11.86→4.53) after 200 h of accelerated weathering. This work pioneers MXene/MoS₂ hybrids as multifunctional reinforcements that uniquely converge thermal, mechanical, and protective enhancements in epoxy coatings.