Influence of cobalt, nickel and copper-based metal-organic frameworks on the corrosion protection of mild steel

Three metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were synthesised and their corrosion prevention behaviour was evaluated. Trimesic acid was used as a ligand to synthesis cobalt, nickel and copper-based MOFs in a mixture of solvents. MOFs were characterised by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. FE-SEM images of Ni-MOF and Cu-MOF showed one-dimensional nanorods, and foam-like morphology respectively. That of Co-MOF displayed large chunky particles with etched edges, and of non-uniform size and shape. The corrosion behaviour of MOF pigmented paint coated on mild steel was studied in 3.5% NaCl and 0.1 N HCl solutions using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In both solutions, Ni-MOF exhibited higher corrosion resistance than the Co-MOF and Cu-MOF.