Green corrosion inhibitors intercalated Mg:Al layered double hydroxide coatings to protect Mg alloy

Abstract Mg alloy was protected with Mg:Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) coating intercalated with three green corrosion inhibitors (sodium benzoate, 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 8‐hydroxyquinoline). The in‐situ hydrothermal approach was adopted to intercalate corrosion inhibitors into Mg:Al LDH coating. The intercalated Mg:Al LDH coating was successfully acquired, and the crystalline structure of Mg:Al LDH coating was verified with X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The organic functional groups of corrosion inhibitors were identified with the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The compact and uniform morphology was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical measurement revealed better corrosion resistance of corrosion inhibitor‐intercalated Mg:Al LDH coatings as compared to that of pristine Mg alloy. The corrosion protection mechanism of corrosion inhibitors was described and unearthed the corrosion inhibitor with the best performance.