# Preparation of Barium Europium Phosphate and Its Performance in Acrylic Resin Anti-Corrosion Coating

## TL;DR

This study shows that adding barium europium phosphate to acrylic resin coatings improves their anti-corrosion performance, making them more effective for industrial use.

## Contribution

The novel synthesis and application of Ba3Eu(PO4)3 as a functional filler in acrylic coatings for enhanced anti-corrosion properties.

## Key findings

- High-purity Ba3Eu(PO4)3 was synthesized using a 3:0.5:3 molar ratio at 950 °C for 1000 min.
- Coatings with 5 wt% Ba3Eu(PO4)3 showed the best anti-corrosion performance with a Tafel current density of 9.616 μA/cm2.
- Salt spray tests confirmed the 5 wt% Ba3Eu(PO4)3 coating had the best corrosion resistance.

## Abstract

Acrylic resin is a polymer with strong crosslinking density and strength, and it is commonly used as a matrix in water-based coatings. Barium europium phosphate (Ba3Eu(PO4)3) is a novel functional filler that is expected to provide anti-corrosive effects to coatings. In this study, Ba3Eu(PO4)3 was prepared by the high-temperature solid-phase method and applied to acrylic anti-corrosion coatings. The influence of the molar ratio of reactants on Ba3Eu(PO4)3 purity was studied. The anti-corrosion performance of the coating was investigated. It was found that, when BaCO3:Eu2O3:(NH4)H2PO4 = 3:0.5:3 and the reaction was carried out at 950 °C for 1000 min, high-purity Ba3Eu(PO4)3 can be obtained, according to XRD and EDS tests. SEM shows that Ba3Eu(PO4)3 has good crystal morphology and a porous morphology. TEM revealed that its structure was intact. When Ba3Eu(PO4)3 was added to a relative resin content of 5 wt%, the anti-corrosion performance of the coating was the best after 168 h, with the lowest Tafel current density of 9.616 μA/cm2 and the largest capacitance arc curvature radius. The salt spray resistance test showed that the corrosion resistance of the 5 wt% Ba3Eu(PO4)3 coating was also the best, which is consistent with the results of the electrochemical test. Ba3Eu(PO4)3 as a pigment and filler can effectively improve the anti-corrosion performance of water-based industrial coatings.