Corrosion inhibition of 316L-type stainless steel under marine environments using epoxy/waste plastic soot coatings

316L grade stainless steel is widely utilized in industrial applications owing to its exceptional corrosion resistance. However, it is less resistant to aggressive marine environments that contain salt-based seawater. In the present study, we report effective anti-corrosive epoxy polymer coating engineered with carbon soot nanoparticles (derived from waste polyolefin plastics) and coated on a 316L steel substrate via controlled pneumatic fluid atomization technique. Morphological analysis of derived carbon soot nanoparticles revealed an average diameter to be in the range of 41-62 nm. Corrosion inhibition performance of the coatings was studied under aggressive chlorine-based environments via polarization plots, i.e., Tafel plots, and by natural salt spray test for the total duration of 20 days. The scratch test and the solvent resistance rub test revealed adherence to the developed coatings with a 316L steel surface. The developed coatings were found to be uniform, crack-free, and well bonded with the surface of steel substrates. Successive experimental results of the developed coatings indicated enhanced corrosion inhibition properties, which imply its practical applicability for under-water marine applications.