Corrosion protection of steel by epoxy nanocomposite coatings containing various combinations of clay and nanoparticulate zirconia

Epoxy-based nanocomposite coatings containing various amounts of nano-clay and aminopropyltrimethoxy silane (APS) treated zirconia nanoparticles were prepared via slurry method. Morphology and dispersion of nanoparticles within the nanocomposites were evaluated using XRD and TEM analyses. Corrosion performance of mild steel coated specimens was investigated using EIS and EN techniques. The results showed that the simultaneous addition of the spherical ZrO₂ and layered clay nanoparticles promotes the exfoliation of the clay nanoparticles and in so doing improves the corrosion performance of nanocomposite coatings via enhancing the barrier properties and ohmic resistance.