Effect of solvent on properties of ZIF‐8 and epoxy coating performance

Abstract The effect of solvent, that is water or ethanol, on the properties of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF)‐8 materials, as well as the properties of epoxy coating filled with ZIF‐8 materials, has been studied. The obtained results indicate that ZIF‐8 materials synthesized in different solvents exhibit the sodalite phase and good crystallinity. However, there were slight differences in the d ‐spacing (between crystal planes) among ZIF‐8 materials synthesized in different solvents, reflecting minor distortions in the crystal lattice or small variations in particle size or shape. Consequently, the ZIF‐8 material synthesized in ethanol has a cubic morphology with a size of ≈100 nm, while the ZIF‐8 material synthesized in water exhibits a thin‐sheet morphology. The ZIF‐8 materials improve the mechanical properties of epoxy coatings as well as their anticorrosion protection properties. The polarization curve shows that ZIF‐8 materials shift the positive potential of epoxy coatings filled with ZIF‐8 materials in comparison with neat epoxy coating. It means that the epoxy coating filled with ZIF‐8 materials exhibits an inhibitory effect on the corrosion process of steel.