Composite coatings with polymeric modified ZnO nanoparticles and nanocontainers with inhibitor for corrosion protection of low carbon steel

Carica Papaya leaf-infused metal oxide nanocomposite: a green approach towards water treatment and antibacterial applications

This study successfully synthesized ZnO-CuO nanocomposite using the hydrothermal method with Carica papaya leaf extract. The incorporation of the leaf extract significantly enhanced the nanocomposite properties, a novel approach in scientific research. Characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transmission Infrared spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis, confirmed a cubic crystal structure with an average size of 22.37 nm. The Fourier Transmission Infrared spectrum revealed distinctive vibrations at 627, 661, and 751 cm-1 corresponding to ZnO-CuO nanocomposite corresponding to stretching and vibration modes. SEM images confirmed a cubic-like and irregular structure. The nanocomposite exhibited outstanding photocatalytic activity, degrading methylene blue dye by 96.73% within 120 min under visible light. Additionally, they showed significant antimicrobial activity, inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus (20 mm) and Klebsiella pneumonia (17 mm). The results highlight the efficiency of Carica papaya leaf-derived ZnO-CuO nanocomposite for environmental and health challenges.

Advanced materials for smart protective coatings: Unleashing the potential of metal/covalent organic frameworks, 2D nanomaterials and carbonaceous structures

The detrimental impact of corrosion on metallic materials remains a pressing concern across industries. Recently, intelligent anti-corrosive coatings for safeguarding metal infrastructures have garnered significant interest. These coatings are equipped with micro/nano carriers that store corrosion inhibitors and release them when triggered by external stimuli. These advanced coatings have the capability to elevate the electrochemical impedance values of steel by 2-3 orders of magnitude compared to the blank coating. However, achieving intelligent, durable, and reliable anti-corrosive coatings requires careful consideration in the design of these micro/nano carriers. This review paper primarily focuses on investigating the corrosion inhibition mechanism of various nano/micro carriers/barriers and identifying the challenges associated with using them for achieving desired properties in anti-corrosive coatings. Furthermore, the fundamental aspects required for nano/micro carriers, including compatibility with the coating matrix, high specific surface area, stability in different environments, stimuli-responsive behavior, and facile synthesis were investigated. To achieve this aim, we explored the properties of micro/nanocarriers based on oxide nanoparticles, carbonaceous and two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials. Finally, we reviewed recent literature on the application of state-of the art nanocarriers based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent-organic frameworks (COFs). We believe that the outcomes of this review paper offer valuable insights for researchers in selecting appropriate materials that can effectively enhance the corrosion resistance of coatings.

Mussel-inspired Self-assembly into Polymer Coatings of Different Molecular Weight Electrolytes for Enhanced Self-healing and Corrosion Properties

Self-healing coatings offer tremendous application prospects in the field of preventing metal corrosion because of their superior functionality. The coordination of barrier performance and self-healing ability, however, continues to be difficult. Herein, a polymer coating based on polyethyleneimine (PEI) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) with self-repairing and barrier ability was designed. Introducing the catechol group into the anti-corrosion coating increases the adhesion and self-healing efficiency of the coating, providing a guarantee for the long-term stable bonding between the anti-corrosion coating and the metal substrate. Small molecular weight PAA polymers are added to polymer coatings to increase their self-healing capabilities and corrosion resistance. Because layer-by-layer assembly creates reversible hydrogen bonds and electrostatic bonds that help the coating repair itself when it is damaged, and because the traction of small molecular weight polyacrylic acid speeds up this process. When polyacrylic acid (PAA) with a molecular weight of 2000 was present in the coating at a concentration of 1.5 mg/mL, the coating's self-healing capability and corrosion resistance were at their peak. The PEI-C/PAA45W -PAA2000 coating completed the self-healing within 10 min, and the corrosion resistance efficiency (Pe ) was as high as 90.1 %. The polarization resistance (Rp ) was maintained at 7.67×104  Ω cm2 after immersion for more than 240 h. It was better than other samples in this work. The polymer provides a new idea for the prevention of metal corrosion.

Multilayered LDH/Microcapsule Smart Epoxy Coating for Corrosion Protection

A multilayered smart epoxy coating for corrosion prevention of carbon steel was developed and characterized. Toward this direction, as a first step, zinc-aluminum nitrate-layered double hydroxide (Zn/Al LDH) was synthesized using the hydrothermal crystallization technique and then loaded with dodecylamine (DOD), which was used as an inhibitor (pH-sensitive). Similarly, the synthesis of the urea-formaldehyde microcapsules (UFMCs) has been carried out using the in-situ polymerization method, and then the microcapsules (LAUFCs) were encapsulated with linalyl acetate (LA) as a self-healing agent. Finally, the loaded Zn/Al LDH (3 wt %) and modified LAUFCs (5 wt %) were reinforced into an epoxy matrix to develop a double-layer coating (DL-EP). For an exact comparison, pre-layer epoxy coatings comprising 3 wt % of the loaded Zn/Al LDH (referred to as LDH-EP), top-layer epoxy coatings comprising 5 wt % linalyl acetate urea-formaldehyde microcapsules (referred to as UFMLA COAT), and a blank epoxy coating (reference coating) were also developed. The developed epoxy coatings were characterized using various techniques such as XRD, XPS, BET, TGA, FTIR, EIS, etc. Electrochemical tests performed on the synthesized coatings indicate that the DL-EP demonstrates improved self-healing properties compared to LDH-EP and UFMLA COAT.

Nanocomposite Coatings for Anti-Corrosion Properties of Metallic Substrates

Nanocomposites are high-performance materials with exceptional characteristics that possess properties that their individual constituents, by themselves, cannot provide. They have useful applications in many fields, ranging from membrane processes to fuel cells, biomedical devices, and anti-corrosion protection. Well-tailored nanocomposites are promising materials for anti-corrosion coatings on metals and alloys, exhibiting simple barrier protection or even smart auto-responsive and self-healing functionalities. Nanocomposite coatings can be prepared by using a large variety of matrices and reinforcement materials, often acting in synergy. In this context, recent advances in the preparation and characterization of corrosion-resistant nanocomposite coatings based on metallic, polymeric, and ceramic matrices, as well as the incorporation of various reinforcement materials, are reviewed. The review presents the most important materials used as matrices for nanocomposites (metals, polymers, and ceramics), the most popular fillers (nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, nanorods, nanoplatelets, nanosheets, nanofilms, or nanocapsules), and their combinations. Some of the most important characteristics and applications of nanocomposite coatings, as well as the challenges for future research, are briefly discussed.

A comprehensive assessment of carbon steel corrosion inhibition by 1,10-phenanthroline in the acidic environment: insights from experimental and computational studies

1,10-Phenanthroline (PHN) is a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic organic compound that is widely used in a variety of applications, including chemosensors, biological studies, and pharmaceuticals, which promotes its use as an organic inhibitor to reduce corrosion of steel in acidic solution. In this regard, the inhibition ability of PHN was examined for carbon steel (C48) in a 1.0 M HCl environment by performing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), mass loss, and thermometric/kinetic. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the surface morphology of C48 immersed in 1.0 M HCl protected with our inhibitor. According to the PDP tests, increasing the PHN concentration resulted in an improvement in corrosion inhibition efficiency. Besides, the maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency is about 90% at 328 K. Furthermore, the PDP assessments demonstrated that PHN functions as a mixed-type inhibitor. The adsorption analysis reveals that our title molecule mechanism is due to physical-chemical adsorption, as predicted by the Frumkin, Temkin, Freundlich, and Langmuir isotherms. The SEM technique exhibited that the corrosion barrier occurs due to the adsorption of the PHN compound through the metal/1.0 M HCl interface. In addition, the computational investigations based on a quantum calculation using density functional theory (DFT), reactivity (QTAIM, ELF, and LOL), and molecular-scale by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations confirmed the experimental results by providing further insight into the mode of adsorption of PHN on the metal surface, thus forming a protective film against corrosion on the C48 surface.

Metals and metal oxides polymer frameworks as advanced anticorrosive materials: design, performance, and future direction

Metals (Ms) and metal oxides (MOs) possess a strong tendency to coordinate and combine with organic polymers to form respective metal–polymer frameworks (MPFs) and metal oxide polymer frameworks (MOPFs). MPFs and MOPFs can be regarded as composites of organic polymers. MPFs and MOPFs are widely used for industrial and biological applications including as anticorrosive materials in the aqueous phase as well as in the coating conditions. The presence of the Ms and MOs in the polymer coatings improves the corrosion inhibition potential of MPFs and MOPFs by improving their self-healing properties. The Ms and MOs fill the micropores and cracks through which corrosive species such as water, oxygen, and corrosive ions and salts can diffuse and destroy the coating structures. Therefore, the Ms and MOs enhance the durability as well as the effectiveness of the polymer coatings. The present review article is intended to describe the corrosion inhibition potential of some MPFs and MOPFs of some most frequently utilized transition metal elements such as Ti, Si, Zn, Ce, Ag, and Au. The mechanism of corrosion inhibition of MPFs and MOPFs is also described in the presence and absence of metal and metal oxides.

Modified Approach Using Mentha arvensis in the Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles—Textural, Structural, and Photocatalytic Properties

Zinc oxide arouses considerable interest since it has many applications—in microelectronics, environmental decontaminations, biomedicine, photocatalysis, corrosion, etc. The present investigation describes the green synthesis of nanosized ZnO particles using a low-cost, ecologically friendly approach compared to the classical methods, which are aimed at limiting their harmful effects on the environment. In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were prepared using an extract of Mentha arvensis (MA) leaves as a stabilizing/reducing agent, followed by hydrothermal treatment at 180 °C. The resulting powder samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) phase analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The specific surface area and pore size distribution were measured by the Brunauer–Emmett–Taylor (BET) method. Electronic paramagnetic resonance spectra were recorded at room temperature and at 123 K by a JEOL JES-FA 100 EPR spectrometer. The intensity of the bands within the range of 400–1700 cm−1 for biosynthesized ZnO (BS-Zn) powders decreased with the increase in the Mentha arvensis extract concentration. Upon increasing the plant extract concentration, the relative proportion of mesopores in the BS-Zn samples also increased. It was established that the photocatalytic performance of the biosynthesized powders was dependent on the MA concentration in the precursor solution. According to EPR and PL analyses, it was proved that there was a presence of singly ionized oxygen vacancies (V0+) and zinc interstitials (Zni). The use of the plant extract led to changes in the morphology, phase composition, and structure of the ZnO particles, which were responsible for the increased photocatalytic rate of discoloration of Malachite Green dye.

Structure and Properties of Biodegradable PLLA/ZnO Composite Membrane Produced via Electrospinning

These days, composite materials based on polymers and inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in optoelectronics and biomedicine. In this work, composite membranes of polylactic acid and ZnO NPs containing 5–40 wt.% of the latter NPs were produced by means of electrospinning. For the first time, polymer material loaded with up to 40 wt.% of ZnO NPs (produced via laser ablation in air and having non-modified surface) was used to prepare fiber-based composite membranes. The morphology, phase composition, mechanical, spectral and antibacterial properties of the membranes were tested by a set of analytical techniques including SEM, XRD, FTIR, UV-vis, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity of the materials was evaluated following standard procedures (ISO 20743:2013) and using S. aureus and E. coli bacteria. It is shown that incorporation of 5–10 wt.% of NPs led to improved mechanical properties of the composite membranes, while further increase of ZnO content up to 20 wt.% and above resulted in their noticeable deterioration. At the same time, the antibacterial properties of ZnO-rich membranes were more pronounced, which is explained by a larger number of surface-exposed ZnO NPs, in addition to those embedded into the bulk of fiber material.