RTV/GO-SiO2 anti-corrosion nanocomposite coating

Abstract

Corrosion stands out as a leading factor contributing to the deterioration of industrial components, particularly in equipment utilized for oil and gas transmission and processing. Room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV) emerges as a promising solution for corrosion prevention due to its notable features including high hydrophobicity, adhesion, and thermal stability. This study focuses on enhancing anti-corrosion properties by applying coatings of RTV polymer with graphene oxide (GO) sheets (RTV-GO) or GO decorated with silicon oxide (RTV/GO-SiO2) onto X60 steel substrates. The investigation delves into the microstructure of the coating, surface hydrophobicity, adhesion to the substrate, and its efficacy in corrosion protection. Various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to analyze the nanocomposites. Furthermore, corrosion resistance was evaluated through open circuit potential analysis, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and salt spray testing. Results indicate that incorporating GO and hybrid GO-SiO2 into the RTV polymer matrix not only enhances the interface strength between the coating and steel substrate but also boosts corrosion resistance by up to 10-fold compared to uncoated substrates.