GO-functionalized MXene towards superior anti-corrosion coating

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Corrosion Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• MXene flakes possess excellent potential for corrosion protection due to their unique structure and mechanical properties.
• Oxidation susceptibility of MXene flakes leads to structural degradation, limiting their application in anti-corrosion fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To functionalize Ti3C2Tx MXene with graphene oxide (GO) via TiOC bonding, creating GO-Ti3C2Tx nanosheets.
• To evaluate the anti-corrosion performance of epoxy coatings incorporating GO-Ti3C2Tx nanosheets under challenging conditions.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of GO-Ti3C2Tx nanosheets confirmed by Raman, XPS, and FT-IR spectroscopy.
• Incorporation of GO-Ti3C2Tx nanosheets into epoxy coatings.
• Electrochemical evaluation (OCP, EIS) and salt spray testing in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution under 5 MPa pressure.

Main Results:

• GO-Ti3C2Tx/EP coatings exhibited significantly enhanced anti-corrosion capabilities.
• The impedance modulus at low frequency (|Z|0.01 Hz) exceeded 10^8 Ω cm^2 after 8 days, two orders of magnitude higher than pure epoxy.
• SEM and salt spray images confirmed the robust physical barrier effect of GO-Ti3C2Tx nanosheets in protecting Q235 steel.

Conclusions:

• Functionalizing MXene with graphene oxide effectively mitigates oxidation and enhances anti-corrosion performance.
• The GO-Ti3C2Tx/EP composite demonstrates superior corrosion resistance, making it a promising material for protective coatings.
• The enhanced barrier properties provide robust protection for metals in aggressive environments.