Anti-corrosive agents based benzil-thiocarbohydrazone macrocyclic ligand-derived Cu (II) and Zn (II) chelates: template synthesis and physically admixing with epoxy coating

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the synthesis of the macrocyclic complexes (Cu and Zn) and their applications as anticorrosive materials in epoxy paint formulation for surface coating application. Design/methodology/approach A selected macrocyclic Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were prepared via template synthesis and characterized using Fourier transform infrared, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, flexibility, hardness and adhesion of coating films prepared using epoxy paint. Findings The corrosion resistance of the epoxy-painted films was improved due to the incorporation of the Zn and Cu complexes into the formulation. Originality/value It was found that the metal complex-based formulation with Cu(II) and Zn(II) had outperformed the sample blank.