Study of cement-based superhydrophobic composite coating: New option for water drainage pipeline rehabilitation

Abstract

A great number of urban underground concrete water drainage systems in China are facing challenges of corrosion, blockage, and leakage. This could result in engineering accidents such as urban inland inundation, pipeline collapse, leakage, and blockage. The common contributing factors for pipeline leakage and blockage are the porous structures and the perishable surfaces of concrete pipes. To address these issues, we synthesized superhydrophobic coating materials such as SiO2 aerosol, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA), and N-β-aminoethyl-γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (AEAPTS). Our superhydrophobic coating on cement-based surfaces presents good waterproof ability, mechanical stability, and self-cleaning properties. Test results show that the superhydrophobic coating exhibits higher water discharge capacity and survivability to corrosive underground water drainage pipeline environments. Hence, this SiO2 aerosol @ bisphenol A diglycidyl ether coating possesses enormous potential in surface modification of pipeline rehabilitation materials.