Preparation and characterization of spherical titania and their influence on self-cleaning and anticorrosion properties of acrylic resin

Abstract Firstly, spherical TiO 2 particles of micro-nano size were prepared by using the inclusion reaction product which resulted from the chemical reaction between urea and EtOH and the inclusion reaction product served as a template. The size of spherical TiO 2 can be regulated by the ratio of urea solution. The spherical TiO 2 particles are mainly composed of anatase. Then the above spherical TiO 2 particles were used to enhance the properties of acrylic resin. With the increase of TiO 2 , the microstructure surface of TiO 2 /acrylic resin coating was in the uneven shape of lotus leaf. When the addition of TiO 2 reaches up to 30 wt.%, it can enhance the anti-corrosion properties of the acrylic resin coating brushed on Q235 steel plate, the water contact angle on the surface of TiO 2 /acrylic resin coating is 121.5° and displays good self-cleaning properties in the water with sand whose concentration reaches 20 wt.%. The composite coatings exhibited the highest 5B rating determined by adhesion test ASTM D-3359-02 (American Society for Testing and Materials).