DESIGNING MODIFIED GRAPHENE OXIDE-EPOXY COATINGS FOR ENHANCING THE CORROSION RESISTANT PERFORMANCE OF MILD STEEL IN SODIUM CHLORIDE SOLUTION

Abstract

An eco-friendly, graphene oxide-based nanofiller was synthesised for epoxy resin coating. The behaviour of nanofiller on mild steel against corrosion was evaluated in this study. Graphene oxide synthesised by Hummer's method was treated with an ethanol extract of Boerhaavia diffusa (BD) plant leaves. GCMS was used to identify the phytochemicals present in BD. Grapheneoxide treated with BD (GO-BD) and GO were examined by FT-IR and FE-SEM. The corrosion behaviour of the neat epoxy, epoxy containing GO, and GO-BD was determined by electrochemical studies in 3.5 wt% sodium chloride solution. Surface changes of the coated substrates were analysed by a peel-off test, a salt spray test, and a static water contact angle measurement. Results showed that the modified graphene oxide sheets act as excellent filler for epoxy coated mild steel panels in a 3.5 wt% sodium chloride medium.