Wrinkled p-phenylenediamine grafted graphene oxide as reinforcement for polyvinyl butyral anti-corrosive coating

Wrinkled p-phenylenediamine (PPD)-functionalized graphene oxide (PGO) is synthesized, characterized, and subsequently incorporated in a ethanol-based polyvinyl butyral (PVB) film (ca. 10 μm thick). The anti-corrosive properties of the pure PVB and nanocomposite (PVB-PGO and PVB-GO) films are tested on steel and compared. Electrochemical impedance spectra reveal that the PGO-reinforced PVB nanocomposite film exhibits the slowest corrosion rate (4 × 10−4 mm a−1 after a 20-day immersion) among the samples, and the results of 7-day saline spray bombardment tests show it is the most robust and durable. The PVB-PGO coating protects the steel substrate from visible corrosion. Incorporation of GO in the PVB matrix results in a reduction of the PVB film anti-corrosion properties. However, by functionalizing GO with PPD, highly dispersible wrinkled PGO flakes are obtained, thus leading to a uniform film that presents a highly tortuous path for impeding liquid and gas molecules. The PVB-PGO nanocomposite film exhibits high, stable capacitance without film delamination, cracking, or other visible damage. Readily accessible as a simple and environmentally friendly, this approach may present an advantageous strategy for creating protective coatings in marine and other applications. PGO with wrinkle structure, as nanometer reinforcing materials in PVB coatings, improved the corrosion resistance of the coatings by extending the permeation path of the corrosive medium.