Functionalization of graphene oxide with an ionic liquid (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate): Preparation of epoxy‐based coating on carbon steel for anticorrosive applications

Abstract

An anticorrosive organic coating of epoxy on carbon steel (CS) was modified with uniformly dispersed graphene oxide (GO) after functionalization with ionic liquid (FGO). The ionic liquid (IL) used was 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate which possess higher solubility and the graphene oxide was prepared by improved Hummer's method. The successful grafting of IL on the GO was confirmed by various techniques including Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman, XPS, x‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, BET, field emission scanning electron microscope, and fidle emission transmission electron microscope. The surface characterization studies revealed that uniform dispersion of FGO is achieved in the epoxy matrix. Further, electrochemical studies such as potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed higher corrosion protection efficiency (~99%) against corrosive fluid (3.5 wt% NaCl solution). This approach may offer an easy, ecologically benign way to create a new candidate coating for the protection of CS.