Zeolites,
renowned for their versatile properties, have emerged
as highly promising materials across a spectrum of applications. Coupled
with their remarkable thermal and chemical stabilities, these properties
broaden the horizons of zeolite applications across various industrial
sectors. Their multifaceted functionality positioned them as optimal
materials for filler incorporation in paints and coatings technology,
offering both ecological soundness and economic viability. Moreover,
in pursuit of sustainability, the selection of a bio-based polymer
matrix for embedding the filler is essential. This strategic choice
not only mitigates volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxicity
but also underscores a concerted effort toward eco-conscious practices.
Herein, we report the development of the bio-based hybrid coatings
containing a microporous zeolite material with a one dimensional channels
system (i.e., SAPO-5) as the filler and nanocontainer for an anticorrosive
agent (Mo). The material (Mo-SAPO-5) was prepared through hydrothermal
synthesis and ex situ modification with molybdenum. Before incorporation
into the coating formulations, it was characterized via a combination
of various spectroscopic and analytic techniques including powder
XRD, FT-IR, and N2 sorption. Subsequently, the Mo-SAPO-5
nanocontainer system was incorporated into a castor-oil-based polyurethane
matrix as a filler with variable weight ratios (up to 2 wt %). The
physicochemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the free-standing
PU films were thoroughly examined through a standard protocol involving
FT-IR-ATR, XRD, TGA, DSC, DMTA, and UTM. Finally, the hybrid PU films
were cast on a mild steel substrate and were subjected to a corrosion
inhibition study by potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical
impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques, and a salt spray fog test.
The studies revealed that out of all the compositions prepared, the
MoS5-COPU-0.5 films (with 0.5 wt % filler) exhibited a promising anticorrosive
property with the highest corrosion inhibition (C
R ≈ 5.77 × 10–6 mm/year),
charge transfer resistance (R
ct ≈
1.33 × 107 Ω), and phase angle (θ >
80°).