SiO2-GO nanofillers enhance the corrosion resistance of waterborne polyurethane acrylic coatings

Corrosion to metal is a great challenge to major industries. Anticorrosive coatings can effectively prevent metal corrosion. In this study, we propose a novel method to prepare silica nanoparticles-covered graphene oxide (SiO2-GO) nanohybrids and anticorrosion SiO2-GO/waterborne polyurethane acrylic (WPUA) coatings. Firstly, we obtained silane-functionalized graphene oxide (A-GO) via a simple covalent functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Secondly, SiO2-GO was synthesized by a simple sol–gel method with tetraethoxysilane in water–alcohol solution. Finally, the obtained SiO2-GO nanofillers were added into WPUA to prepare SiO2-GO/WPUA coatings. GO, A-GO, and SiO2-GO nanohybrids could be confirmed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectra, and transmission electron microscope. SiO2-GO nanohybrids showed small size compared with the unfunctionalized GO. Meanwhile, GO, A-GO, and SiO2-GO nanofillers were added into WPUA. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscope indicate that SiO2-GO nanohybrids can be homogeneously dispersed in the WPUA coatings at 0.4% loading level and the SiO2-GO/WPUA film exhibits excellent anticorrosion performance. SiO2-GO nanoparticles can effectively utilize in the area of anticorrosive nanofiller industry. This study provides a convenient method of anticorrosive coating production.