Effect of Si nanoparticles on the corrosion protection performance of organic coating on carbon steel in chloride environment

This work examines the effect of silicon (Si) nanoparticles on the corrosion protection performance of epoxy coating over carbon steel by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The EIS was performed in a 0.1 M NaCl solution after a wet/dry cyclic corrosion and continuous immersion test. The addition of Si nanoparticles increased the film resistance (R_f) and the charge transfer resistance (R_ct) of the coated steel. The surface analysis showed that uniform and fine Si-Fe complex oxides layers were formed acting as barrier layers that enhanced the corrosion protection of the coated steel in the wet/dry cyclic corrosion test. The results of the EIS of the coated steel with Si nanoparticles suggested that Si nanoparticles play a beneficial role in enhancing the corrosion resistance of organic coated steel.