The search for highly effective corrosion protection solutions to avoid degradation of the metallic parts is enabling the development of polymeric organic coatings. Of particular relevance, polymeric nanocomposite coatings, modified with corrosion inhibitors, have been developed to provide enhanced surface protection. In this work, yttrium oxide nanoparticles loaded with corrosion inhibitor (Imidazole), used as additives in the formulation of epoxy for coated on the steel substrate. The loading of Y2O3 with imidazole was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. UV-Vis analysis demonstrated the pH-sensitive behavior of the imidazole that helps in self-release when necessary. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the coated samples revealed that the coating modified with Y2O3/IMD provides better corrosion protection compared to coatings containing only Y2O3. XPS analysis validated the presence of an imidazole protective film on the steel substrate that enhanced the corrosion resistance of the coated samples.
Keywords: coating; corrosion protection; epoxy; imidazole; yttrium oxide.