Corrosion Protection Of Stainless Steel 316l By Incorporating Zinc Oxide-(Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene)Poly(Styrenesulfonate), Pedot:Pss) Hybrid Nanocomposite In Epoxy Based Coating For Marine Application

Abstract

Stainless steel 316L is extensively used in high performance application due to its good mechanical strength and resistance towards corrosion. However, this type of steel is still tends to undergo pitting and crevice corrosion when exposed to aggressive environment such as marine environment. In this study, a new coating material is formulated to control corrosion by introducing zinc oxide (ZnO) and (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate), PEDOT:PSS) hybrid nanocomposite into epoxy resin based coating. The physiochemical properties of formulated coating and the effect of varied weight percentage (wt.%) of hybrid nanocomposite with immersion time on coating performance is studied. To achieve these objectives, 1 to 5 wt.% ZnO-PEDOT:PSS is mixed and dispersed in epoxy based coating and coated on 316L substrates using brush coating technique. The samples are immersed in real environment for 60 days. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM/EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) analysis showed good compatibility and stability between ZnO and PEDOT:PSS in epoxy based coating while maintained amorphous state of epoxy coating.