Abstract
In this work, investigation on corrosion protection performance of chemically synthesized polyaniline (PANI) / SiO2nanocomposite coatings has been carried out on Mild Steel (MS). Sodium docecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS) doped conducting PANI / SiO2at different ratios was synthesized by employing in -situ polymerization technique. The developed coatings were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Contact angle, Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and corrosion analysis. The FTIR analysis indicates the strong interaction between PANI and SiO2 nanoparticles. The contact angle study reveals the hydophillicity character of the nanocomposite coatings with a water contact angle of 74.9°. Corrosion resistanceof uncoated mild steel and the coated sample in 3.5 % NaCl aqueous solution has been evaluated using weight loss methods. Additionally the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) studies have been also conducted to evaluate the coorision protection characteristics of the coatings. PANI containing SiO2 (PSC III) coating showed excellent resistance after immersion in 3.5 % NaCl solution for 1 month time period.