Enhanced Corrosion Protection of Cu & Al in Saline Media Using a New PEDOT Based Waterborne Polyurethane Coating

In the present investigation, a new nanocomposite (PGZ) viz. PEDOT (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/ Graphene oxide (GO)/Zirconia (ZrO 2) has been developed via in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization method. Its electrochemical response as a preventive coating for inflating the corrosion resistance of industrial alloys i.e. copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al) exposed to neutral chloride (3.5% NaCl) environment at room temperature has been analyzed using various electrochemical techniques. Both the substrates along with the nanocomposite material (PGZ) have been characterized by various surface analysis studies viz. FE-SEM, XRD, TGA, TEM, EDAX and FT-IR studies. The SEM studies showed the compact formation of coating on the substrate. Other characterization studies well established the formation of PGZ nanocomposite. The experimental electrochemical investigations on coated substrates demonstrated a significant reduction in the corrosion current density (icorr) and a fascinating increase in the charge transfer resistance (Rct) values in comparison to the bare metal specimens.