Corrosion protection of the reinforcing steels in chloride-laden concrete environment through epoxy/polyaniline-camphorsulfonate nanocomposite coating

In this study, an epoxy/polyaniline-camphorsulfonate nanocomposite (epoxy/PANI-CSA) is employed to protect reinforcing steels in chloride-laden concrete environment. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Bare, epoxy-coated and epoxy/PANI-CSA nanocomposite-coated steel rebars were embedded in normal and self-compacting concretes. To evaluate their corrosion behaviors, open circuit potential and impedance measurements were performed for the duration of 1 year. Ultimate bond strength of concrete with the reinforcement bars were measured in corroded and uncorroded conditions. It was found that epoxy/PANI-CSA coating provides good corrosion resistance and durable bond strength with concrete for steel rebars.