Photo-Heat Transition of Coatings Derived from Furfural Resin and Fe 2 O 3 Nanoparticles

A composite coating based on furfural matrix resin and Fe2O3 nanoparticles was prepared by the ultrasonic mixing of furfural with Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Coatings obtained from this mixture exhibited improved photo-heat transition properties. The composition, structure and properties of the composite coating were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and spectrophotometry. The TEM results indicated that the size of resulting Fe2O3 particles were in the range of 50 to 100 nm. The initial decomposition temperature of the composite coating was 250°C. The solar absorptivity (αs) of the composite coatings was as high as 90%, and its emission rate (εn) was reduced to 56%, while the relative eff iciency of light-heat transition (α_s/ε_nK) was about 1.6. The nanocomposite coatings exhibited excellent abrasion resistance, weatherability and water resistance due to the formation of a three-dimensional network structure during the thermal curing process. The results indicate that the nanocomposite material could be used as a solar light-heat transition coating that could be employed in solar hot-water collection.