Fabrication of acrylic acid modified graphene oxide (AGO)/acrylate composites and their synergistic mechanisms of anticorrosion and antifouling properties

Considering the problem of corrosion and organisms fouling encountered by marine vessels during navigation. Acrylic acid modified graphene oxide (AGO)/acrylate composites were prepared through in situ radical polymerization. The chemical composition and morphology of AGO were researched by XRD, FTIR, Raman, XPS and TEM analysis. The anticorrosion performance of AGO/acrylate composites was studied via electrochemical measurements and salt spray test. Meanwhile, the hydrolysis properties of AGO/acrylate composites in the seawater were also revealed. These results manifest that acrylic acid can be grafted on the surface of graphene oxide (GO). AGO/acrylate composites possess high corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. Moreover, AGO/acrylate composites show hydrolysis properties in slightly alkaline solution. AGO/acrylate composites based paints can exhibit self-polishing antifouling performance in the natural seawater. This research will provide a novel idea for the development of primer-topcoat coatings for marine vessels.