Avant-Garde Polymer/Graphene Nanocomposites for Corrosion Protection: Design, Features, and Performance

Abstract

Polymeric coatings have been widely selected for the corrosion resistance of metallic surfaces. Both the conducting and non-conducting polymers have been applied for corrosion confrontation. The conducting polymers usually possess high electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance features. On the other hand, non-conducting hydrophobic polymers have also been used to avert the metal erosion. To improve the corrosion inhibition performance of the polymer coatings, nanocarbon nanofillers have been used as reinforcement. Graphene, especially, has gained an important position in the research on the corrosion-protecting nanocomposite coatings. Here, graphene dispersion and matrix–nanofiller interactions may significantly improve the anti-corrosion performance to protect the underlying metals. The graphene nanofiller may form an interconnecting percolation network in the polymers to support their electrical conductivity and thus their corrosion confrontation characteristics. Further research on the polymer/graphene nanocomposite and its anti-corrosion mechanism may lead to great advancements in this field.