Flow Injection Chemiluminescence Determination of Ethion and Computational Investigation of the Adsorption Process on Molecularly Imprinted Polymerized High Internal Phase Emulsion

The lack of sufficient selectivity is the main limitation of chemiluminescence (CL) methods; because the CL reagent is not restricted to a specific analyte. This study investigated the preconcentration and determination of ethion by a flow injection CL (FIA-CL) method using a molecularly imprinted poly high internal phase emulsion (MIP-polyHIPE) adsorbent. Preliminary studies showed that ethion could be determined with high sensitivity in the Ru (bipy)₃ ²⁺ -acidic Ce (IV) CL system. A MIP-polyHIPE adsorbent was synthesized and used for preconcentration to increase the selectivity and sensitivity of the method. The adsorption of ethion on the adsorbent was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD), UV-Vis and FTIR spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). Response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD) were used to find optimized concentrations of variables. The linear dynamic range (LDR) and limit of detection (LOD) for ethion in the FIA-CL method were calculated 1.0✕10^-9 -2.0✕10^-7 and 6.0✕10^-10 mol L^-1 , respectively. The percentage of relative standard deviation for 5 repetitive measurements of 5.0⨯10^-8 mol L^-1 ethion was 4.2%. The proposed method was successfully used to separate and preconcentrate ethion from drinking and surface water sources.

Ultrastable Porous Covalent Organic Framework Assembled Carbon Nanotube as a Novel Nanocontainer for Anti-Corrosion Coatings: Experimental and Computational Studies

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been proposed as a wholly organic architecture sharing high crystallinity, porosity, and tuneability. Moreover, they exhibit highly stable structures against harsh chemical environments, including boiling water, strong acids and bases, and oxidation and reduction conditions, making them good candidates for extreme conditions. For the first time, a porous COF structure based on terephthalaldehyde and melamine was synthesized and employed as a novel nanocontainer for hosting corrosion inhibitors to provide a coating with superior active/passive anti-corrosion properties. In this study, the multi-walled carbon nanotube was utilized as a platform for growing COF (CC) to improve the coating's barrier and thermo-mechanical properties. The zinc cations were loaded into the CC structure (called CCZ) as one of the most promising inhibitors for mild steel. The COF-based nanoparticles' characterization was done by Fourier transform infrared, Raman, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Moreover, the Density functional theory modeling and molecular dynamics simulation quantitatively highlighted the adsorption propensity of the investigated COF structures onto the oxidized CNT-based nanostructures and the interactions of epoxy with these nanostructures. The CCZ nanoparticles (NPs) showed 75% inhibition efficiency in saline solution and 418 ppm zinc ions release after 24 h at acidic pH. The CCZ/EP coating revealed the smart release of inhibitor for 24 h and represented excellent barrier properties after 9 weeks of immersion in saline solution. In terms of mechanical properties, the elastic modulus values derived from the dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer were enhanced by 107 and 137% in CC/EP and CCZ/EP samples compared to the neat epoxy. Furthermore, the yield stress and breakpoint elongation were strengthened by 102 and 63% for the CC/EP sample, respectively. Finally, the highest pull-off adhesion strength in dry (8.53 MPa) and wet (2.7 MPa) conditions, along with the lowest adhesion loss (68.3%), was related to the CCZ/EP sample.

Benzimidazole loaded β-cyclodextrin as a novel anti-corrosion system; coupled experimental/computational assessments

HYPOTHESIS

Silane (sol-gel)-based coatings have been introduced as an eco-friendly system for reducing the metals' corrosion in NaCl solutions. However, due to the lack of active protection property for this type of coatings, their modification is totally recommended for achieving durable protection properties. The present study introduces Beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as a novel/effective organic nano-container for Benzimidazole (BM) encapsulation to obtain reliable active protection property via a controlled-release property.

EXPERIMENTS

The chemical structure of the β-CD-BM macromolecule was explored by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). Besides, the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization (potentiodynamic) tests were carried out for investigating the inhibition impacts of the constructed containers. The exposed and unexposed samples' surfaces were analyzed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)/mapping, and Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) experiments. Also, the EIS test was conducted over the Silane-based composite film (SCF) for analyzing the anti-corrosion performance of the constructed composites.

FINDINGS

The EIS achievements demonstrated that by the addition of β-CD-BM complexes to the saline solution, the mild steel corrosion was mitigated by about 84%. The EIS results also displayed that the total resistance of the modified composite was enhanced from 5540 Ω.cm² to 10967 Ω.cm² and the intact coating provided a total resistance of 80254 Ω.cm². The dispersion-corrected Density Functional Theory (DFT)-D explorations ascertained the inclusion capacity of benzimidazole inside the β-CD. The Monte Carlo/Molecular Dynamics (MC/MD) calculations strongly affirmed the adsorption of BM and β-CD-BM over the substrate.

Synthesis of graphene oxide nanosheets decorated by nanoporous zeolite-imidazole (ZIF-67) based metal-organic framework with controlled-release corrosion inhibitor performance: Experimental and detailed DFT-D theoretical explorations

For the first time, the zeolite-imidazole (ZIF-67) framework, a new subfamily of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), is synthesized on the graphene oxide (GO) platform. Co²⁺ (as a central atom) and 2-methylimidazole (as organic ligands) were assembled to fabricate ZIF-67/GO NPs for providing epoxy-based anti-corrosion coatings with both active (self-healing) and passive (barrier) performance. Also, the ZIF-67/GO NPs were modified by 3-Aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APS) to improve the particles compatibility with the epoxy matrix and control their solubility in saline media. The FE-SEM, FT-IR, UV-Vis, Raman, TGA, and low-angle XRD techniques were used to prove the successful ZIF-67 particles growth onto the GO platforms. Tafel (potentiodynamic) polarization test demonstrated that the ZIF-67/GO@APS NPs could protect the surface of steel through mixed anodic/cathodic type (O₂ reduction/Fe oxidation) mechanisms and the corrosion current density of the iron sample decreased to 1.41 µA·cm^-2. Interestingly, the epoxy coatings containing ZIF-67/GO and ZIF-67/GO@APS particles revealed long-term corrosion protection durability and outstanding self-healing anti-corrosion performance, which were well studied via EIS, salt spray, cathodic delamination, and pull-off techniques. The impedance value at the lowest frequency for the coating containing ZIF-67/GO@APS after 50 days decreased from 10.7 Ω·cm² to 10.2 Ω·cm² that showed the lowest reduction among the studied samples.

Construction of a sustainable/controlled-release nano-container of non-toxic corrosion inhibitors for the water-based siliconized film: Estimating the host-guest interactions/desorption of inclusion complexes of cerium acetylacetonate (CeA) with beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) via detailed electronic/atomic-scale computer modeling and experimental methods

Utilization of the coatings with self-healing anti-corrosion activities is one of the most promising routes for the development of advanced anti-corrosion coatings. In the present work, the green/sustainable corrosion inhibitive compounds based on the cerium acetylacetonate (CeA) was loaded into a beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) nano-container (with negligible hazardous impacts) and through combined computer modeling and experimental approaches, the host-guest interactions/desorptions of the inclusion complexes of CeA with beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were assessed. The inhibition performance of the β-CD-CeA inclusion complex was investigated by electrochemical and surface experiments in a saline solution (NaCl, 3.5 wt.%). The particles were analyzed by Raman, XRD, FT-IR, and UV-vis spectroscopies. Additionally, the thermal properties in the 30-600 °C temperature range were examined by employing TGA/DTG test, and via the ICP analysis, the concentration of the released inorganic compounds in the electrolyte was studied. Achievements demonstrated 24 ppm Ce element existence after introducing β-CD-CeA inclusion complexes (during 24 h) in NaCl 3.5 wt.% solution. The analysis of Tafel curves proved that the prepared β-CD-CeA inclusion complex could inhibit the metallic substrate corrosion following the mixed cathodic and anodic mechanisms. The EIS investigation disclosed about 82 % inhibition degree after 48 h of metal immersion in the solution containing β-CD-CeA extract. The EIS analysis clarified that the silane coating (SC) resistance was enhanced noticeably by introducing the β-CD-CeA particles into the SC matrix. Using detailed-level (i.e., electronic and atomic) computer modeling techniques applying density functional theory (DFT), Mote Carlo (MC) and molecular dynamics (MD), the active sites, and the adsorption propensity of CeA complexes over the steel-based metallic adsorbents were explored. These modelings evidenced the CeA complexes interfacial adsorption on the steel.

Designing a non-hazardous nano-carrier based on graphene oxide@Polyaniline-Praseodymium (III) for fabrication of the Active/Passive anti-corrosion coating

In this work, graphene oxide (GO) based nano-platforms were applied as a non-hazardous solid container with high encapsulating capacity and controllable release activity of eco-friendly inhibitor. For the first time, the adsorption and release properties of the praseodymium cations (Pr³⁺) on GO nanosheets functionalized with polyaniline (PANI) were investigated. The Pr³⁺ cations adsorption/desorption capacity of GOPANI nano-sheets was assessed by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) techniques. The obtained results proved that the container modified with Pr³⁺ cations at pH of 7, 600 ppm of adsorpt, and 1 mg/cc of adsorbent dosage provided the highest capacity of inhibitors adsorption/release rates. The adsorption capacity of the GO-PANIs reached more than 500 mg/g. Also, the modified carrier desorbed about 70 % of loaded Pr³⁺ cations in the corrosion simulated condition. The self-healing anti-corrosion ability of the constructed containers in an organic-inorganic hybrid coating (OIHC) was shown by electrochemical analyses results. The resistance of coating with the loaded carriers has increased about 1 order of magnitude in comparison with the neat silane. Moreover, the scratched coatings containing the inhibitor loaded GO-PANIs showed extraordinary total resistance of about 25 Kohm. cm².

Synthesis of a non-hazardous/smart anti-corrosion nano-carrier based on beta-cyclodextrin-zinc acetylacetonate inclusion complex decorated graphene oxide (β-CD-ZnA-MGO)

Recently, the high research considerations have been devoted to designing smart coatings with self-healing propensity along with improved anti-corrosion properties, durability, and effectiveness. In the present work, a novel nano-container, namely beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD), was introduced and applied for encapsulating and subsequent controlled release of a metal-organic inhibitor, namely zinc acetylacetonate (ZnA) in the polymeric matrix. The smart release is another principal object which has been lacked in recent reports. For this aim, graphene oxide nanoparticles were employed to carry the inclusion complexes (β-CD-ZnA) to the defected zones of coatings. FT-IR, Raman, XRD, and UV-vis experiments ascertained that the β-CD-ZnA inclusion complex successfully adsorbed onto the GO sheets modified by 3-aminopropyl tri-ethoxysilane (MGO). The electrochemical inspections (i.e., potentiodynamic polarization and EIS) proved that the β-CD-ZnA-MGO particles could remarkably inhibit the steel corrosion in 3.5 % NaCl solution via mixed cathodic/anodic retardation mechanisms with approximately 93 % efficiency after 48 h metal exposure. It was also found that the corrosion protection performance of the polymeric matrix loaded by β-CD-ZnA-MGO nano-particles enhanced markedly, assigning to the significant epoxy defect coverage by β-CD-ZnA. The intelligent transmission was affirmed by EDS-mapping analysis in the defected regions of epoxy coating. The high quantity of the Zn element ensured the successful adsorption of the ZnA on the metal surface. The damage, as well as the delaminated degrees of the un-scratched epoxy coating, was estimated by the EIS experiment outcomes. Achievements reflected that the presence of β-CD-ZnA-MGO nano-filler in the epoxy resin matrix significantly reduced the electrolyte/ion diffusion. Furthermore, the computational results elucidated from DFT-D approach clarified the stronger β-CD-ZnA affinity towards the GO adsorbent compared with the pure β-CD, supporting the experimental findings.

A green assisted route for the fabrication of a high-efficiency self-healing anti-corrosion coating through graphene oxide nanoplatform reduction by Tamarindus indiaca extract

The major focus of the recent studies in metals corrosion protection field is now the development of non-hazardous and eco-friendly materials as effective substitutes for some of the well-known conventional toxic/unsafe inhibitors based on chromate, lead, phosphate, and azole derivatives. The present work focuses on the sustainable development of an intelligent self-healing anticorrosion coating using nanocarriers based on the graphene oxide nanoplatform-Tamarindus indiaca extract-Zn²⁺ (GON-Ti.E-Zn)-through a facile green assisted route. The GON-Ti.E-Zn nanocarrier was introduced into the epoxy ester film (EEF) to achieve a smart barrier/self-healing anti-corrosive property. To this end, a couple of characterization tests, including FT-IR, UV-vis, XRD, TGA, and Raman spectroscopy, have been carried out to investigate the GON-Ti.E-Zn nanocarrier structure/composition. The effectiveness of the anti-corrosion performance of the established coatings was confirmed by EIS, FE-SEM, and accelerated salt spray (SS) test. The observation of the high impedance magnitude at low-frequency (47.14 Gohm cm² after 5 weeks immersion in saline solution) for the un-defected EEF and significant impedance enhancement for the defected EEF including GON-Ti.E-Zn nanocarrier confirmed the excellent barrier effect of GO and synergistic behavior and noticeable corrosion inhibition impact of Tamarindus indiaca along with the zinc cations on the mild steel corrosion mitigation.

Production of an environmentally stable anti-corrosion film based on Esfand seed extract molecules-metal cations: Integrated experimental and computer modeling approaches

This study aims at finding a suitable alternative for traditional and hazardous organic/inorganic corrosion inhibitors. In this study, the aqueous extract of Esfand seed (ESE) was used as a unique green source of nitrogen-based organic compound with great capability of the steel corrosion inhibition in a saline solution. Surface and electrochemical analyses were carried out by Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and polarization methods. Furthermore, the adsorption of inhibitors on the steel surface was explored by Monte Carlo (MC), molecular dynamics (MD) and quantum mechanics (QM) methods. The electrochemical studies established the effectiveness of the zinc cations addition to the ESE containing solution on its inhibition efficiency. The sample inhibited by 300 ppm ESE + 700 ppm Zn showed the highest anti-corrosion properties. The inhibition efficiency of this sample was reached 98.8% after 264 h which is much higher than those reported in the previous studies. QM computations proved the formation of complexes via donor-acceptor action. MC and MD simulations supported the inhibitors adsorption on the steel.