Novel hydrophobic PVDF/APTES-GO nanocomposite for natural gas pipelines coating

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposites were successfully prepared by solvent casting approach using graphene oxide (GO) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-graphene oxide (APTES-GO) as nanofillers. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) revealed that the PVDF nanocomposites exhibited features of symmetric membrane. Incorporation of 0.4 wt% of APTES-GO into the PVDF matrix led to a significant decrease in wettability with water contact angle (CA) of 102° as compared to 62° for 0.4 wt% GO and 80° for neat PVDF. PVDF/APTES-GO has increased 2350% in tensile modulus as compared to 75% increased in PVDF/GO nanocomposite. Carbon steel plate, which has similar properties with commercial carbon steel pipelines was used in the salt spray and acid immersion tests. PVDF/APTES-GO nanocomposite coating was found to exhibit excellent corrosion protection and good adhesion property than other coatings in corrosive environments.