Synergistic effect of silane modified nanocomposites for active corrosion protection

Abstract This work presents an effective anticorrosion behavior of a hydrophobic surface on stainless steel 304. The protective coating has been designed by dispersing nanocomposites (cloisite 15A, multiwalled carbon nanotubes and cerium chloride) which act as a corrosion inhibitor. The sol was prepared by using 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), octyltriethoxysilane (OTES) and zirconium (IV) butoxide as precursors. The corrosion resistance of coated stainless steel got improved when nanocomposites were homogeneously embedded in silica sol. The influence of nano-particles on the barrier coatings impedes corrosion. The coatings were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to ensure the intercalation and distribution of nanocomposites in layered silicates. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to characterize the nanocomposites modified silica sol. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the morphology of the modified silane coating. The contact angle measurements ensured the hydrophobic behavior of the coatings. The corrosion behavior was investigated using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). This study has led to a better understanding of active anticorrosive coatings with embedded nanocomposites and the factors influencing the anticorrosion performance.