Zinc deposited polymer coatings for copper protection

Polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PAni) coatings were electrosynthesized on copper, by using cyclic voltammetry technique. Then, these coatings were modified with the deposition of zinc particles from aqueous zinc sulphate solution. The electrodeposition of zinc was achieved at a constant potential value of −1.20 V, in the amount of ∼0.75 mg/cm². The corrosion performance of zinc modified polymer coatings were investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution; by using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and anodic polarization curves. The zinc particles improved the barrier property of polymer films, thanks to formation of voluminous zinc corrosion products within the pores of polymer coating. Also, the zinc particles provided cathodic protection to the substrate, where the polymer film played the role of conductance between zinc particles and copper.