Synthesis, characterisation and electrochemical evaluation of a functionalised coating for mild steel corrosion protection

A functionalised coating for mild steel corrosion protection was prepared in this study. A composite material SBA-15 (silicon oxide) was used as a mild steel corrosion inhibitor. The porous matrix (SBA-15) was loaded with fluconazole (F), as an inhibitor container. A sol–gel technique was used to synthesise SBA-15; and the active molecule (F) was extracted from an outdated medication using methanol as solvent. The final composite was obtained by SO 2 dispersion in a methanol-F solution. The composite material was dispersed in a nitrocellulose resin, and it was characterised by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR), and physical adsorption of Nitrogen. Coatings were electrochemically evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests, using a chloride/sulphate solution prepared from NaCl and (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 . The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the inhibitor delivery system and the consequent protection of metal against the corrosion process.