Novel anticorrosion coatings prepared from polyaniline/graphene composites

We report on the exceptional application of polyaniline/graphene composites (PAGCs) for corrosion protection of steel. The composites display outstanding barrier properties against O-2 and H2O compared with neat polyaniline and polyaniline/clay composites (PACCs). The conductive filler, 4-aminobenzoyl group-functionalized graphene-like sheets (ABF-G) with a relatively higher aspect ratio than organophilic clay nonconductive fillers, is a versatile platform for polymer grafting that promotes better dispersion of the graphite within the polymer matrix and lengthens the diffusion pathway that gases should effectively encounter. This concept can be used for other polymer/graphene composites. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.