Thermal Stability and Corrosion Protection of Graphene Nanocoating’s on Steel: Experimental Analysis and A Molecular Dynamics Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64229/784ht782Keywords:
Corrosion, Materials Studio software, Offshore pipeline, Graphene, Adsorption energies, Nanocoating’sAbstract
Graphene-based nanocoating’s are gaining attention as protective barriers for steel, particularly in offshore pipeline systems exposed to harsh conditions. Traditional coatings struggle with thermal stability and adhesion at high temperatures, limiting their corrosion resistance. This research investigates the thermal stability, structural integrity, and protective effectiveness of graphene nanocoating’s applied to steel substrates using a dip-coating technique. Simulations conducted with Materials Studio across temperatures from 393 to 633 K revealed strong adhesion between graphene and steel, demonstrated through high adsorption energy values. At lower temperatures (393 K), the Van der Waals energy was measured at –30.77 kcal/mol, indicating strong attractive interactions. As temperature increased, these values varied but remained negative, confirming ongoing non-covalent interactions. The intramolecular energy consistently measured at 478.81 kcal/mol, highlighting the graphene layer's structural stability under heat stress. Experimental validation included X-ray diffraction (XRD) which confirmed graphite's oxidation to graphene oxide, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) which identified functional groups from p-phenylenediamine, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealing a wrinkled layered morphology for effective surface coverage. Further electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and salt immersion studies indicated enhanced corrosion resistance. Overall, graphene nanocoating’s exhibit exceptional thermal stability, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance, making them promise for long-term protection of offshore pipeline steel.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Sikiru Surajudeen Olalekan, Syafiq Bin Safarudin (Author)
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