Robust UV-curable anti-smudge electrodeposition coating for self-cleaning, anti-graffiti and corrosion protection

In this study, a UV-curable anti-smudge cathodic electrophoretic coating was developed by free radical copolymerization of various acrylic monomers using heptadecafluorodecyl acrylate (FOEA) as a functional monomer to provide a low surface energy structure to the acrylate precursor. The precursor was then grafted with the synthetic double-bond terminated IPDI-HEA on the precursor, and finally dipentaerythritol penta/hexaacrylate (5-Acl) was introduced as a crosslinker for the subsequent cathodic electrophoresis and UV-curing process. The chemical structure and surface fluorine content of the fluorinated waterborne polyacrylate (FWPA) were confirmed by 1 H NMR, FT-IR, and XPS , respectively. The surface morphology and roughness of the coating were assessed using SEM and AFM instruments. The contact and sliding angles of water, diiodomethane, and hexadecane were determined. The self-cleaning capability was demonstrated by measuring the oil-based and aqueous epoxy paints, as well as carbon powder sliding on the coated tinplate surface. The anti-graffiti property was also integrated with a red marker. The resistance to strong acid, salt spray, impact, friction, and bending were characterized. All these results showed remarkable self-cleaning and anti-graffiti capabilities of the as-prepared UV-curable electrophoretic coating. Meanwhile, the coating displayed exceptional robustness in resisting chemical corrosion and mechanical damage. This newly developed UV-curable anti-smudge cathodic electrophoretic coating has great application potential in various metal protection industries.