【Frontiers in HaiChuan Chemical Technology】Tianjin University of Chemical Technology overcomes technical challenges in heat conduction and corrosion protection: An environmentally friendly high-heat-conductivity powder coating is now available

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Tianjin University of Chemical Technology overcomes technical challenges in heat conduction and corrosion prevention: An environmentally friendly high-thermal-conductivity powder coating has been developed. Recently, the team led by Professor Da Wang Huaiyuan at Tianjin University of Chemical Technology made a significant breakthrough in the field of thermal management materials, successfully creating an environmentally friendly powder coating material that boasts both excellent heat conduction properties and strong corrosion resistance. Through an innovative three-dimensional conductive network design, this material effectively overcomes the technical challenges associated with balancing thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance in traditional polymer coatings, offering a green and efficient solution for applications such as heat management in industrial equipment and marine anti-corrosion. To address the issues of low intrinsic thermal conductivity in polymer-based coatings and the deterioration of corrosion resistance caused by the addition of fillers, the research team used expanded graphite with micro-three-dimensional structure as a scaffold, and functionalized it with a newly synthesized schiff base-cerium complex corrosion inhibitor to create three-dimensional conductive network fillers. This structure not only raises the thermal conductivity of the coating to 2.6 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, which is 12 times higher than that of pure epoxy resin, but also achieves a high infrared emissivity of 0.95–0.98 across the entire 2.5–25 μm spectrum, thereby significantly enhancing heat dissipation through both thermal conduction and infrared radiation. Finite element simulations confirm that its thermal management performance far exceeds that of traditional materials. Through chemical modification of the Schiff base-cerium complex, the research team ensured that the coating retained an low-frequency impedance modulus of over 10⁸ Ohm cm² even after being immersed in a 3.5% NaCl solution for 90 days, which is four orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional coatings. This breakthrough stems from the dense protective film formed by the corrosion inhibitor on the metal substrate, which effectively prevents the penetration of corrosive agents. At the same time, the coating exhibits excellent adhesion of 10.4 MPa and impact resistance of 100 cm, meeting the requirements for use in harsh industrial environments. This coating is produced using electrostatic powder spraying technology, ensuring zero emissions of volatile organic compounds throughout the process, and meets the coating standards for environmental protection engineering equipment. Its simple manufacturing process and controllable costs lay the foundation for large-scale industrial production. By systematically analyzing the relationship between the three-dimensional network structure and multifunctional properties, the research team revealed for the first time the influence of filler morphology and interfacial interactions on the overall performance of coatings, providing theoretical guidance for the design of high thermal conductivity anti-corrosion coatings. According to the team, the MEGP coating has passed third-party authoritative tests, with its performance metrics reaching international advanced levels. This material can be widely used in applications such as new energy vehicle battery packs, 5G base station cooling modules, and offshore platform facilities. It is expected to reduce the surface temperature of equipment by 15–20°C and extend its service life by more than three times. Professor Wang Huaiyuan, the project leader, said: \"This technology overcomes the thermal conductivity limits of traditional anti-corrosion coatings, opening up new avenues for the industrial application of green coating materials.\" " Currently, the research team is accelerating the industrialization of the MEGP coating. This achievement was published in the top journal in the field of materials, Advanced Functional Materials, and it received support from a key project funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, marking that China has reached an international leading level in the field of high-end functional coatings.