Electrochemical and anticorrosion behavior of functionalized graphite nanoplatelets epoxy coating

• Functionalized graphite nanoplatelets (FGNP) were prepared.
• Three samples of epoxy nanocoatings were prepared by mechanical agitation.
• TEM images showed a homogenous distribution of nanoparticles in epoxy resin.
• Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the nanocoatings was investigated.
• The protection mechanism of FGNP was found by passivation and physical barrier.

Functionalized graphite nanoplatelets (FGNP) were used as efficient and compatible nano-particles to produce homogenous epoxy nano-coating with impressive anticorrosion behavior for carbon steel. The characterizations of the nano-particle and nano-coating were carried out by SEM, FT-IR, XRD, TEM and pull-off test. Fine distribution of nano-particles in the cured nano-coating with particle sizes of 20–40 nm was obtained. Electrochemical experiments, salt spray and X-ray fluorescence showed that the nano-coatings protect the metal substrate by formation of passive layer and physical barrier characteristics. Three samples (0.25%, 0.5% and 1%) of FGNP-epoxy coatings were prepared that 0.5% showed better anticorrosion properties.