Corrosion protection coatings embedded with silane-functionalized rGO/SiO2 nanocontainers: Enhancing dispersive and corrosion-inhibitor loading capabilities

Abstract Taking advantage of the excellent barrier properties of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets and the loading capacity of mesoporous silica (SiO2), silane-functionalized rGO/SiO2 nanocontainers are synthesized and, after loaded with benzotriazole (BTA), composite corrosion protection coatings are prepared. The XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM, and TEM are used to confirm the successful preparation of silane-functionalized rGO/SiO2 nanocontainers, and BET and UV–visible measurements are used to estimate the loading and release behavior of BTA. Dispersion stability of the nanocontainers is observed, the surface morphology, wettability, and water absorption of coatings are characterized by SEM, water contact angle, and weight method, respectively. The corrosion behavior of pristine and scratched composite coatings is characterized by EIS, the effect of released BTA is further confirmed. The results show that silane-functionalized rGO/SiO2 nanocontainers possess excellent dispersibility and load capacity, reduce defects and micropores in composite coatings, and provide improved permeability resistance, corrosion resistance, and self-repairing performance.