Advanced coating materials and technologies that are durable in tropical climates
With a coastline of more than 3,260 km and a rich system of islands and archipelagos, the marine economy plays an important role in the national economic structure, as well as a strategic factor in ensuring Vietnam's security and defense. However, natural features such as tropical monsoon climate, high temperature, humidity, along with the impact of solar radiation, and harsh marine environment have been causing many great challenges. These factors not only affect the durability of materials but also increase the rate of corrosion and encroachment of marine organisms on buildings and vehicles, causing great economic losses as well as energy security and national defense.
From the above fact, the research and development of advanced material technologies is an urgent requirement. The project "Research and development of advanced coating materials and technologies applied in civil and defense", under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Tran Dai Lam, focusing on developing green technologies and new material technologies to manufacture multi-functional coatings. These coatings are not only resistant to corrosion and anti-fouling of oysters, but also have the effect of heat reflection, heat resistance, antibacterial, and optimal surface protection in marine, coastal and urban environments.
Research team at PVOil Cai Lan, Quang Ninh
The project consists of 5 in-depth research components, each of which is an important link in the scientific and technological value chain, from the fabrication of advanced nanomaterials, functional coatings, to the development of effective application solutions in both the civil and defense fields.
Scientific and practical achievements
Within the framework of the research, scientists have successfully tested and applied 3 anti-sulfur paint systems on the model of a 2-bottom ship under sea water in Chong Oan, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province. The 3-layer coating system with polysiloxane and vinyl ester coatings has shown outstanding resistance to shale, lasting more than 18 months. This is an important result that helps extend the life of ships operating in the marine environment, while reducing maintenance costs.
Preparation of paint samples prior to resistance testing
3-layer paint sample after 6 months of testing
3-layer paint sample after 12 months of testing (without removal of clinging organisms) (left) and 18 months of testing (after removal of clinging organisms) (right)
Heat reflective exterior wall painting systems, heat reflective roof waterproofing paint systems and organic solvent paint systems to protect against corrosion, heat reflection, and weather resistance have also been successfully fabricated and tested in practice. These products have been applied on an area of 1000m² of building exterior surface, 200m² of roof area and 1435m² of petroleum tank surface. The test process shows that the new paint systems can reduce the temperature of the exterior surface of the building to more than 9°C and the temperature in the petroleum tank from 9 to 19°C, bringing efficiency in saving energy and protecting the building.
Some pictures of the model of the heat-resistant paint test chamber
Test chamber model (a); Temperature Data Logger (b); Photos of the Extra-SHR and Extra-SHR-CT paint test process (c)
Test chamber model (a); Temperature Data Logger (b); Photo of the Extra-SHR-S paint test process (c)
In addition, the process of painting and testing samples of iron and steel structures in the marine environment and marine atmosphere at locations such as Dam Bai, Vinh Nguyen (Nha Trang) and Truong Sa Island has brought positive results. After nine months of use, the inner primer is still intact, not blistered or peeling, proving its outstanding protection in harsh marine climatic conditions.
The scientists have also tested galvanizing samples and new coatings such as galvanized-passive Cr(III), galvanized-nanosilica, multilayer ZnNi, and ZnNi-nanosilica. The test samples showed impressive results when there was no red rust after 20 months. This result confirms the effective corrosion resistance of these plating and coatings. Another result of the fabrication of the coating on the steel hull of Vietship 02 also brought significant results. After 15 months of operation at sea, the Al-Mg/epoxy-nanocomposite thermal coating is still intact, undamaged, while the hull without thermal coating has appeared red rust, clearly proving the protective effect of the new coating.
The project has also achieved other successes in the research and development of nanoadditives and protective coating technologies. Specifically, the research team has successfully synthesized a number of nanoadditives using surfactants such as TOPO, OLA, OA, with a particle size of ≤ 50 nm, the coupling efficiency of organic functional groups on the surface > 90% and the organic content of 5-25%. These additives have proven good dispersibility and stability in organic solvents, even after 12 months, laying a solid foundation for application in paint products and protective coatings. The researchers have also applied nanoadditives ZnO, TiO2 and ZrO2 to effectively enhance primers and coatings, meeting high quality standards according to TCVN 8789:2011. These additives have demonstrated superior corrosion resistance, increasing the durability of the paint in harsh environments.
The successful fabrication of sensor electrodes using 3D printing techniques, using graphene-based inks and conductive metal nanoparticles such as AuNPs, AgNPs, and CuNPs, has made an important contribution to the development of a two-electrode resistance measurement system with a measurement circuit using IC 555 and IC LM393. This automatic resistance measuring device is capable of early warning of corrosion problems, especially in highly corrosive marine environments.
Regarding publication, from the results of the Project, there have been 24 articles published in international journals in the SCIE/SCOPUS category with a high impact index, and 11 other articles published in national journals. In addition, the Scheme has yielded a patent granted by the Office of Intellectual Property of the Russian Federation, a utility solution patent, and many products such as basic standards and other important technological processes.
The research results have been protected by patent patents issued by the National Office of Intellectual Property of the Russian Federation and Vietnam
Through the Project, scientists have actively contributed to the training of high-quality human resources with eight PhD students participating (in which, one PhD student has been granted a doctoral degree, one PhD student has made a decision to protect the Academy, two PhD students have made a decision to protect the grassroots level and four PhD students are implementing doctoral thesis according to the content of the Project), along with four postgraduate students were guided. The products have been applied in many companies and units across the country, affirming the effectiveness and practical value of the Project.
The research and development of advanced, multifunctional coatings is not only of scientific significance but also has great application potential in practice. This is an important direction to meet the increasing demand of society for coating products to protect materials and buildings in the field of civil and defense. Therefore, scientists expect to receive strategic attention and investment from Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in order to develop and make the research direction one of the key fields of the Institute in the future. The team will continue to research and develop products on a trial scale and proceed to commercialization in the coming time, in order to further expand the applications and practical value of the research results.
The achievements from the Project have also affirmed the outstanding research capacity of the Academy's scientists in the field of advanced paint and coating technology with practical applications in protecting the marine environment and sustainable development of the sea and island economy. Prof. Dr. Tran Dai Lam shared: The research results are a testament to the close connection between basic research and applied research to solve practical problems, serving social security. He hopes that, with the attention and support from Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, this research direction will continue to be expanded, bringing more added value in the field of environmental protection, natural resources and sustainable development.
Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version
