Adsorption of amphiphilic grafted polymers as polymer corrosion inhibitors: insights from mesoscopic simulations

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2022 May 18;24(19):11992-12001. doi: 10.1039/d2cp00504b.

Abstract

The homogeneous covering of amphiphillic polymer molecules onto metallic surfaces is of great importance for corrosion inhibitor applications. Lyophillic side chains grafted onto a lyophobic backbone act as anchors that allow the molecule to absorb at the metallic surface preventing the exposure with the solvent. Coarse-grained simulations are used to study the sorption and conformation behaviour of amphiphillic grafted polymers for corrosion inhibition. The backbone insolubility is found to play a key role in the sorption and conformation behaviour in the dilute limit. For finite concentrations, moderate backbone solubility and moderate molecule concentrations achieve optimal surface coverage, while highly a lyophobic backbone leads to bulk-like structures as a consequence of aggregation.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Corrosion
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Polymers* / chemistry
  • Solvents / chemistry

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Solvents