Advanced corrosion Protection: Development of MnO2@rGO/EP-GTA nanocoating

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of utilizing reduced graphene nanosheets to enhance the anticorrosion properties of MnO2 coatings. Specifically, the study focuses on the incorporation of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into MnO2 coatings to improve their anticorrosion performance. The MnO2-decorated graphene oxide nanocomposite (MnO2@rGO) was thoroughly characterized using various analytical techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These analyses elucidated the morphological and structural features of both rGO and MnO2, highlighting the chemical bonding between MnO2 and rGO. Furthermore, the MnO2@rGO nanocomposite underwent additional modification with glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GTA) before integration into the epoxy resin, resulting in the formation of the epoxy coating (MnO2@rGO/EP-GTA) on steel plates. Electrochemical and potentiometric measurements demonstrated that the inclusion of rGO significantly prolonged the cathodic protection duration of MnO2 within the coatings. This enhancement can be attributed to rGO acting as an impermeable barrier within the coating matrix, thereby enhancing electrical conductivity and facilitating efficient electrical connection between manganese oxide particles and the steel substrate. Additionally, the incorporation of MnO2@rGO and GTA modification led to improved performance of the MnO2@rGO/EP nanocoating, including enhanced resistance to UV aging and salt spraying, effective dispersion of the MnO2@rGO nanocomposite within the epoxy resin, and increased cross-linking density and adhesion strength of the epoxy coating.

Keywords

• Corrosion protection
• MnO2@rGO nanocomposite
• Epoxy coating
• Cathodic protection
• Anticorrosion properties