An Electrochemical Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Zinc Nanocomposite Coating through Pulse-Potential Electrodeposition Technique and the Consequent Corrosion Resistance

Abstract

Pulse-potential coelectrodeposition of reduced graphene oxide/zinc (rGO-Zn) nanocomposite coating is directly controlled upon a steel substrate from a one-pot aqueous mixture containing [GO−/Zn2+]δ+ nanoclusters. GO nanosheets are synthesized by modified Hummer’s approach while Zn cations are produced in the solution and deposited on GO nanosheets using anodic dissolution technique. Eventually, nanoclusters are reduced to rGO-Zn film through an electrochemical process. Chemical composition, surface morphology, and corrosion resistance of the thin film are characterized. Results show that the corrosion resistance of rGO-Zn coating is approximately 10 times more than the bare steel.

Graphene Oxide-Assisted Morphology and Structure of Electrodeposited ZnO Nanostructures

“…As the electrochemical results indicate, the participation of GO sheets to the electrodeposition process, the GO sheets are expected to be found in the hybrid deposit. The morphology analysis shows that the addition of GO during electrodeposition of ZnO induces changes in morphology towards nanoplates, as well as in the growth direction from vertical to lateral, both at low and high cathodic potential, which could be attributed to the incorporation of GO sheets [56,57] where the oxygen groups in GO further react with Zn 2+ ions [22]. As evidenced in the SEM images in Figures 4-6, the nanostructures increase in terms of density and disorder with the GO content, and the morphology turns to concave nanostructures, suggesting that GO sheets are adsorbed on (001) planes of ZnO through their oxygen groups, resulting in stacks of platelets standing on the substrate, similarly to other reports on electrodeposition of ZnO in the presence of dye or surfactant molecules [58].…”

Graphene-Reinforced Zn–Ni Alloy Composite Coating on Iron Substrates by Pulsed Reverse Electrodeposition and Its High Corrosion Resistance

“…The variations were also consistent with the results in Figure . In addition, a very small peak at 26.1° was identified in the composite coatings, which was attributed to the diffraction of the (002) carbon planes. , …”

“…The XRD pattern revealed an obvious carbon diffraction peak (110) at 10.9°, which was the characteristic absorption peak of GO, indicating its high degree of graphite oxidization and exhibiting an ordered crystalline phase. 37,39,40 In addition, because of the existence of the oxygen functional groups and water molecules in between the interlayer galleries of the hydrophilic GO, the interlayer spacing was enlarged up to 0.81 nm, which was much larger than that of the regular graphite interlayer (0.34 nm). From the Raman spectrum, a typical D band appeared at 1340.8 cm −1 corresponding to the irregular arrangement of atomics and the edge effects of Gr and a G band at 1578.7 cm −1 representing the plate vibrations of sp 2 carbon atoms.…”

“…In addition, a very small peak at 26.1°was identified in the composite coatings, which was attributed to the diffraction of the (002) carbon planes. 39,46 Corrosion resistance is crucial for applications of the protective coatings. In this work, first, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was applied to evaluate the corrosion property due to its capability of "in situ" and nondestructively probing relaxation phenomena over a wide range of frequencies.…”

Review of Recent Developments in the Formulation of Graphene-Based Coatings for the Corrosion Protection of Metals and Alloys

“…In addition, efficient anti-corrosion coatings have been formulated using electroplated Zn/GO nanocomposite coatings [186] and low-pressure cold-sprayed coatings [187]. For example, Li et al [188] and Moshgi Asl et al [189] used pulsed electrodeposition while galvanostatic deposition [190] has also been employed to form Zn/GO composites with high stability and good corrosion protection performance. In a recent study the microstructure and corrosion protection properties of electrodeposited Zn/GO and Zn/GO/Zn multilayers were studied and compared [191].…”