Recent Advances in Graphene Oxide-Based Anticorrosive Coatings: An Overview

Anticorrosion and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Sol-Gel Hybrid Coatings Containing Clitoria ternatea Modified Clay

In this study, Clitoria ternatea (CT) was incorporated into the structure of sodium montmorillonite (Na⁺-MMT), then these new nanoparticles (CT-MMT) were added to sol-gel-based hybrid silanol coatings (SGC). The results of the CT-MMT investigation using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) confirmed the presence of CT in the structure. The results of polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests showed that the presence of CT-MMT in the matrix improves corrosion resistance. The EIS results showed that the coating resistance (R_f) of the sample containing 3 wt.% CT-MMT after immersion was 687 Ω·cm², while this value was 218 Ω·cm² for pure coating. CT and MMT compounds improve corrosion resistance by blocking anodic and cathodic regions, respectively. Additionally, the presence of CT in the structure created antimicrobial properties. CT contains phenolic compounds that have the ability to suppress by membrane perturbation, reduction of host ligands adhesion, and neutralizing bacterial toxins. Therefore, CT-MMT showed inhibitory effects and killing of Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive bacteria) and Salmonella paratyphi-A serotype (gram-negative bacteria), and also improved corrosion resistance.

Polypyrrole-based nanocomposites doped with both salicylate/molybdate and graphene oxide for enhanced corrosion resistance on low-carbon steel

In this work, polypyrrole-based nanocomposites doped with graphene oxide, molybdate, and salicylate (PPy/GO/Mo/Sal) were synthesized via in situ electrochemical polymerization to enhance the anti-corrosion protection performance of polymer coatings. The morphology and structures of the coatings were characterized by SEM, EDX, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and XRD. The protection abilities of coatings against corrosion were investigated in 0.1 M NaCl solution with EIS potentiodynamic polarization, salt spray test, and open-circuit potential (OCP) measurements. The results showed that with the presence of both molybdate/salicylate and GO in the PPy matrix, the nanocomposite coating exhibited an excellent protection ability against corrosion for low-carbon steel, better than that with only GO as filler. Compared to the nanocomposites doped with only salicylate or salicylate/GO, the one doped with both molybdate/salicylate and GO exhibited the longest protection plateau (ca. 100 h) on the OCP-time curves with some fluctuation points known as the self-healing action of molybdate dopant. It also resulted in a decrease in the corrosion current (Tafel plots), a higher impedance (Bode plot), and a better protection performance in salt spray tests. In this case, the anti-corrosion ability of the coatings was provided through a barrier and self-healing mechanism.

Fabrication and characterization of graphene oxide-based polymer nanocomposite coatings, improved stability and hydrophobicity

In this study, acrylic-epoxy-based nanocomposite coatings loaded with different concentrations (0.5-3 wt.%) of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles were successfully prepared via the solution intercalation approach. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the inclusion of GO nanoparticles into the polymer matrix increased the thermal stability of the coatings. The degree of transparency evaluated by the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy showed that the lowest loading rate of GO (0.5 wt.%) had completely blocked the incoming irradiation, thus resulting in zero percent transmittance. Furthermore, the water contact angle (WCA) measurements revealed that the incorporation of GO nanoparticles and PDMS into the polymer matrix had remarkably enhanced the surface hydrophobicity, exhibiting the highest WCA of 87.55º. In addition, the cross-hatch test (CHT) showed that all the hybrid coatings exhibited excellent surface adhesion behaviour, receiving 4B and 5B ratings respectively. Moreover, the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) micrographs confirmed that the presence of the functional groups on the GO surface facilitated the chemical functionalization process, which led to excellent dispersibility. The GO composition up to 2 wt.% showed excellent dispersion and uniform distribution of the GO nanoparticles within the polymer matrix. Therefore, the unique features of graphene and its derivatives have emerged as a new class of nanofillers/inhibitors for corrosion protection applications.

Surface Functionalization of Bamboo with Silver-Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets to Improve Hydrophobicity and Mold Resistance

A natural polyphenolic compound was used to assemble nanocomposites. Owing to its stable bioactive properties, bamboo has earned significant attention in material science. Its high nutrient content and hydrophilicity makes bamboo more vulnerable to mold attacks and shortened shelf lives. To produce efficient, multipurpose, long-life bamboo products, a novel technique involving an immersion dry hydrothermal process was applied to impregnate the bamboo with polyphenol-assisted silver-reduced graphene oxide nanosheets. Curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenol found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa, was used in the preparation of curcumin-enhanced silver-reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (Cur-AgrGONSs). The nanocomposites and nanocomposite-impregnated bamboo materials were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. At the same time, a phytopathogen was isolated from infected bamboo products and identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. The nanocomposites effectively inhibited the growth of the isolated fungus. The mold resistance and moisture content of both the treated and untreated bamboo timbers were also examined to determine the efficiency of the prepared nanocomposite. The antifungal activity and hydrophobicity of the bamboo materials were significantly enhanced after the incorporation of curcumin-enriched silver-loaded reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (B@Cur-AgrGONSs). This research outcome confirms that the nanocomposite is a well-organized antimicrobial material for different advanced domains.

Experimental Investigations of AlMg3 Components with Polyurethane and Graphene Oxide Nanosheets Composite Coatings, after Accelerated UV-Aging

The use of graphene (Gr) and its derivates graphene oxide (GO) showed that these materials are good candidates to enhance the properties of polyurethane (PU) coatings, especially the anticorrosion ones since graphene absorbs most of the light and provides hydrophobicity for repelling water. An important aspect of these multifunctional materials is that all these improvements can be realized even at very low filler loadings in the polymer matrix. In this work, an ultrasound cavitation technique was used for the proper dispersion of GO nanosheets (GON) in polyurethane (PU) resin to obtain a composite coating to protect the AlMg3 substrate. The addition of GON considerably improved the physical properties of coatings, as demonstrated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis, promising improved anticorrosion performance after accelerated UV-ageing. Computational methods and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements showed that GON facilitates the formation of additional bonds and stabilizes the PU structures during the ultraviolet (UV) exposure and aggressive attack of corrosive species. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) data reveal a slow burning behaviour of PU-GON coatings during UV exposure, which is better than PU alone.

Hyperbranched epoxy resin-grafted graphene oxide for efficient and all-purpose epoxy resin modification

Despite great efforts have been made on epoxy resins modification, development of additives that can be used to efficiently and universally modify epoxy composites remains a challenging task. Herein, graphene oxide (GO) sheets were covalently linked with hyperbranched epoxy resin (HBPEE-epoxy) to form HBPEE-epoxy functionalized GO (HPE-GO), which was then incorporated into epoxy resin (EP) matrix to achieve efficient and all-purpose enhancement of the properties of EPs. Compared with unmodified GO sheets, the functionalized HPE-GO sheets were better dispersed and exhibited better interfacial compatibility with the epoxy matrix, and consequently, the mechanical and thermal properties of HPE-GO/EP composites improved significantly compared to unmodified GO/EP composites. The tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and fracture toughness (K_IC) of EP composites containing 0.5 wt% HPE-GO increased by 65.0%, 36.2%, 259.1%, and 178.9%, respectively, compared with those for the neat EP. The storage modulus (E'), glass transition temperature (T_g), and thermal stability (T_5%) also showed modest improvements. Furthermore, the HPE-GO/EP composites exhibited optimal thermal conductivities and thermal expansion properties, while maintaining higher volume resistivities compared with GO/EP composites. The results of this study support that HPE-GO is a promising, all-purpose modifier for EPs.

Improving pitting corrosion resistance of the commercial titanium through graphene oxide-titanium oxide composite

Titanium oxide has been commonly used for wide range of applications due to excellent corrosion resistance. This study presents the impact of graphene oxide (GO) addition to titanium oxide as coating materials during titanium anodization process on the corrosion behaviour. The GO was prepared by electrochemical exfoliation using low voltage mode in a sodium sulphate electrolyte, which is easier and more environmentally friendly compared to the chemical approach. Raman and scanning electron microscope were used to examine the success of the exfoliation process. The surface morphologies and potentiodynamic polarization results indicate that the addition of GO significantly inhibit the pitting corrosion and stabilize passivation current densities over wide ranges of anodic potentials. The untreated titanium, however, noticeably displayed fluctuation of anodic current densities, confirming the presence of pitting corrosion. The results obtained by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) also confirm that the addition of GO enhanced corrosion protection even at higher frequency ranges. The cyclic polarization scan results show a positive shift in the re-passivation potential E_rep after the addition of GO. This work emphasizes that the addition of GO during anodization of titanium not only protect its surface from pitting corrosion but also provide a strong passive layer.