Controllable construction and durability application research of graphene based high durability surface protective coatings

Currently, research on surface protective coatings is experiencing rapid development. However, the controlled fabrication that simultaneously exhibit high transparency, strong hydrophobicity, robust adhesion, and compatibility with diverse substrates remains insufficiently explored. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a novel graphene-based copolymer protective material, leveraging the unique surface structure and superior physicochemical properties of oxidized graphene. The hybrid polymer coating (PGMA-co-PMPS/GO) was fabricated by grafting the copolymer PGMA-co-PMPS onto the pre-synthesized aminopropyl-functionalized graphene oxide (GO-NH₂). The resulting coating demonstrated excellent surface hydrophobicity, with water contact angle ranging from 125.5 ± 1.5° to 156.8 ± 3.2° on glass, metal steel and sandstone substrates. Additionally, the coating maintained high optical transparency (90.2 %–95.5 %) and strong adhesion to substrates (2.1 ± 0.05–2.5 ± 0.03 MPa). The incorporation of graphene into the polymer matrix provided an effective barrier and thereby enhancing resistance to environmental factors such as acids, bases, salts, and ultraviolet radiation. A synergistic protection mechanism was proposed, involving a combination of the “maze effect”, interwoven network structures, covalent and hydrogen bonding, mechanical interlocking, as well as coordination and ionic interactions with the substrate. This study offers a technically optimized approach for developing durable graphene-based polymer coatings, addressing long-standing challenges in environmental stability and broadening their practical applicability. The results hold promising applications for the future expansion of graphene coating technologies across various industries.