A new approach to using submicron emeraldine-base polyaniline in corrosion-resistant epoxy coatings

The present work reports on a new approach to the preparation of special corrosion-resistant epoxy coatings. The aminic hardener of these coatings contained emeraldine-base polyaniline (EB-PANi). The aminic hardener was prepared by dispersion of EB-PANi in 3-(aminomethyl)-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexan-1-amine employing sonication, centrifuging and submicron filtering methods. The state of dispersion and dissolution of these coating materials, during different stages of preparation, were characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The corrosion resistances of resulting coatings were measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and salt spray methods. As little as 0.5% EB in initial mixture of EB-hardener compositions led to relatively better corrosion protection of resulting coating compared with neat resin coating. Presence of initial 2.5% of EB in the hardener and its processing through our approach resulted in the formulation of an epoxy coating with superior corrosion protection properties.