Smart anticorrosive and antimicrobial multifunctional epoxy coating using bergenin and malabaricone C bio-nanocomposite dispersoids on mild steel and aluminium-6061 alloy

Smart multifunctional epoxy coating prepared by incorporating bio-nanocomposites of two isolated phytochemicals bergenin and malabaricone C in mesoporous silica nanoparticles showed excellent corrosion inhibition property. This smart antimicrobial and corrosion resistant coating was active in acidic, basic and neutral media containing 3.5 wt% NaCl. The coatings exhibit their best performance in near neutral media. Polarisation studies and EIS data showed that an epoxy composite coating containing 3% bergenin nanocomposite prevents corrosion on mild steel and aluminium alloys far better than a pure epoxy coating. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the antimicrobial action of the coatings revealed that malabaricone C is an excellent antimicrobial agent in smart coating showing 99.99% efficiency, and the coating exhibited activity against both gram positive and negative bacteria like S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the development of a smart multifunctional epoxy coating by incorporating bio-nanocomposites of bergenin and malabaricone C in mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The coating exhibits excellent corrosion inhibition property and antimicrobial activity.