Use of waste to wealth process derived sustainable silica-rich graphene analogues to provide enhanced corrosion resistance properties for coatings on carbon steel, exposed to marine environments

Here, we have demonstrated the effects of the application of silica-rich green-graphene analogues (SRGA) mixed epoxy coating on carbon steel in terms of corrosion resistance and other properties. The anticorrosion performance of SRGA/EP coatings with various concentrations (0.05 wt%, 0.1 wt%, and 0.5 wt% SRGA) on carbon steel in 3.5 wt% NaCl was investigated using the potentiodynamic polarization technique (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The surface morphologies of pure epoxy (EP) and SRGA/EP-coated specimens were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Incorporating the SRGA/EP coating approach on carbon steel pipes can improve the thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and surface finish of the produced composite coatings. The corrosion inhibition efficiency of 0.1 wt% SRGA/EP-coated carbon steel specimens was 99 % higher than uncoated carbon steel specimens. The thermal stability of 0.1 wt% SRGA/EP coating was improved by 5-7 % compared to pure EP coating. The synthesized SRGA/EP coating showed acceptable uniform distribution on the carbon steel. The average roughness (Ra) of SRGA/EP-coated carbon steel was 67.8 % lower compared to the uncoated ones and 37.3 % lower than the pure EP-coated carbon steel specimens. These materials, derived from green processes can be suitable replacements for traditional toxic chemicals employed for corrosion-resistant coating in carbon steel surfaces of water pipes. Apart from the benefits of use in performance, SRGA application can help environmental -social-governance (ESG) compliance for the paints and coatings industry.