Effect of graphene on corrosion resistance of waterborne inorganic zinc-rich coatings

The effect of graphene nanosheets on corrosion resistance of waterborne inorganic zinc-rich coatings was investigated in the paper. Coatings were applied on the carbon steel panels with different composition of zinc and graphene. The anticorrosion properties of the waterborne inorganic zinc-rich coatings were investigated by DC polarization technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that the addition of graphene improved the effective zinc content and the cathodic protection of the coating due to the electrical conductivity of the graphene. The coating with 2 wt% graphene maintained cathodic protection for 40 days. XPS results showed that Zn 5 (OH) 8 Cl 2 was the main corrosion products on the surface of the coating and graphene greatly improved the corrosion rate of the zinc particles. • Graphene was added to improve the properties of inorganic zinc-rich coating. • The coating had a double-layer structure. • Graphene prolonged the cathodic protection of the coating.