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.