Dual-Functional MXene@Pyrogallol–Phenanthroline Hybrids: Boosting the Anticorrosive and Tribological Performance of Waterborne Epoxy Composite Coatings

Abstract

Metal corrosion and wear result in substantial global economic losses annually, posing major challenges to the infrastructure durability. The application of high-performance coatings presents an effective strategy for simultaneously addressing these two major challenges. This study reports a newly developed waterborne epoxy resin (WEP) composite coating based on MXene nanosheets functionalized with pyrogallol and loaded with phenanthroline (MGP), engineered for superior corrosion and wear resistance. After 42 days of immersion, the WEP coating with 0.4 wt % MGP (4-MGP/WC) exhibited an increase of nearly 3 orders of magnitude in |Z_0.01 Hz| compared to the blank epoxy coating (BWC), demonstrating the outstanding long-term ability of 4-MGP/WC to resist corrosion. Additionally, the wear rate of 4-MGP/WC was reduced by 94.8% compared with BWC, reflecting its superior wear resistance. This study offers a novel approach for composite coatings integrating superior resistance to both wear and corrosion, prolonging the service life of metals exposed to corrosive and abrasive environments.