Corrosion protection performance of poly(PyM-co-GMA)/SWCNT nanocomposites coating on mild steel

Abstract

Recently, there has been significant emphasis on developing electroactive functional methacrylate polymers for anticorrosive applications. In this context, we have synthesized Poly[(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-1-yl) methyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate] [Poly(PyM-co-GMA)] and its nanocomposite with single- walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) [Poly(PyM-co-GMA)/SWCNT]. The resulting materials were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray Diffraction analysis (XRD). Morphological changes due to the incorporation of SWCNTs were examined using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The optical properties of Poly(PyM-co-GMA) and Poly(PyM-co-GMA)/SWCNT (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt. %) were investigated. The thermal behavior of Poly(PyM-co-GMA) and its SWCNT nanocomposites was analyzed through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The anticorrosive performance of the prepared materials was evaluated on a mild steel substrate (MS) in a 3.5% (w/v) NaCl medium using electrochemical techniques. Results from potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicate that the Poly(PyM-co-GMA) and Poly(PyM- co-GMA)/SWCNT coatings (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt. %) provide effective barrier protection for mild steel against marine environments.