Integration of green nanotechnology with silica for corrosion inhibition

Abstract

Abstract Silica is a chemically inert molecule with an ability of adsorption on the metal to form a layer of barrier for preventing it from the atmospheric damage. However, a larger amount of silica is required for producing the impactful anticorrosive activity, leading to toxic and carcinogenic effects in the environment, and thus limiting the applications of silica. Application of nanotechnology in the synthesis of silica nanocomposites provides, for example, the advantages of better biocompatibility, systemic stability, ineffective response towards pH changes large multifunctionality. However, uses of harmful solvent, low penetration and toxicity, remain the major concerns for silica nanoparticles. Synthesis of silica nanocomposites with green technology will be an attractive approach to offer reduction in toxicity associated with the silica, higher surface area, effective penetration, easy spreadability, better adsorption over the metal surface and also provided the controlled release of chemical agents on contact with metal surface. The present article enlightens the use of green syntheses in the formulation of silica nanocomposites for corrosion inhibition in comparison to conventional synthetic method and provides the insights of various green nanocarriers such as nanocontainers, sol-to-gel nanoparticles, metallic nanostructures and silica nanocomposites for enhancing the proficiency of corrosion inhibition.