Hierarchical graphitic carbon nitride-ZnO nanocomposite: Viable reinforcement for the improved corrosion resistant behavior of organic coatings

In recent years, carbon-based nanostructured materials are considered as a potential nanofiller for the reinforcement of polymers owing to their distinctive structure and attractive physical and mechanical features. Herein, a unique graphitic carbon nitride (GCN)-ZnO nanocomposites were synthesized and used as nanofillers in pure epoxy (PE) coatings to improve their corrosion protective performance on carbon steel (CS) in saline medium. The synthesized nanocomposite was systematically examined using various surface and structural characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the formation of high purity ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) on GCN sheets. Surface characterization results revealed that the spherical ZnO NPs of an average size of 20 nm are uniformly deposited onto GCN sheets. The corrosion behavior of the PE coatings functionalized with the nanocomposite was assessed through the conductance of electrochemical corrosion testing in 3.5% NaCl medium. The quantity of water absorption by PE coating decreased after the incorporation of nanocomposite as compared to PE coating. Corrosion assessments revealed that the incorporation of nanocomposite improved the barrier and surface protective performance of PE coating against corrosion. The obtained outcomes proved that the prepared nanocomposite materials could be a prospective nanofiller in enhancing the corrosion resistant performance of PE coatings in NaCl solution.