Silicate Coatings Filled With Zinc Powder and Graphene Nanoplates for Steel Corrosion Protection

Abstract

The method is proposed to protect the carbon steel from corrosion by silicate coatings filled with powdered zinc and graphene nanoplates obtained by thermal splitting of graphite. The conditions for steel pre-treatment in an alkaline solution containing citrate ions and a nonionic surfactant, for the production of potassium liquid glass composition with the addition of zinc and graphene powders are selected. It is shown that coatings 70–80 µm thick, cured at room temperature for three days and containing 80–90 wt. % zinc, 7– 12 wt. % silicon dioxide and 0.2 wt. % carbon have the highest adhesion, water resistance and protective ability. The study of steel corrosion in 3.5% NaCl solution using methods of voltammetry and the dependence of open circuit potential on the test duration showed that silicate coatings filled with zinc and graphene provide cathodic polarization of steel and protect it from corrosion better than twice as thick coatings obtained by hot galvanizing. Graphene nanoplates enhance the contact of zinc particles with each other and with steel, promoting its cathodic polarization. Using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectral microanalysis, it has been shown that zinc corrosion products fill the pores of the near-surface layer of coatings, enhancing their protective ability.