Preparation and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte-Modified Attapulgite as Nanocontainers for Protection of Carbon Steel

Abstract

This work focused on the development of an intelligent coating containing pH-responsive attapulgite (ATP) nanocontainers. These nanocontainers were assembled with polyelectrolytes and inhibitors by using a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technology. The release behavior of encapsulated inhibitors was investigated through UV-visible spectroscopy. Coating wettability was examined through contact angle measurements. The static contact angle of the coating with the assembled ATP nanoparticles increased significantly relative to that of the blank coating. The corrosion behavior of the coating was tested with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Corrosion results from EIS showed that the incorporation of the assembled ATP nanoparticles into the epoxy matrix improved the barrier properties of the coating. SECM measurements performed on scratched samples revealed that the addition of the assembled ATP nanoparticles to epoxy resin exhibited a self-healing capability