Chapter 21 - Environmentally responsible and sustainable polymer nanocomposites as anticorrosive coatings

Abstract

This chapter mainly discusses the eco-friendly polymer nanocomposite, which is biodegradable and renewable, used as corrosion protective coatings. These ecological coatings are environment-friendly, sustainable, and degradable. Because of the addition of a natural polymer entity as a part or whole of the structure, they can easily be composed or disposed without harming the environment. However, there remains a concern on strength and recyclability of the synthetic parts of some natural composites used as eco-friendly polymer nanocoatings. In addition, composites manufactured with traditional production process become eco-friendly by extra reprocessing. The challenge posed by eco-friendly composites also needs considerable attention in terms of poor bonding between matrix and fillers, lose control of fiber orientation, and difficulty in shaping nanoscale particles. Yet, there are hundreds of natural polymers currently being tested and used as anticorrosive coatings; their performance and activity have been discussed in this chapter.