Eco-friendly and highly efficient rust removal for Q235 steel via UV-induced copolymerization of acrylic monomers into adsorptive gel

Abstract

Metal corrosion and rusting have caused significant losses to humans, and environmentally friendly and efficient rust removal methods are receiving increasing attention. Here, we propose a method for rust removal by synthesizing acrylic gel on Q235 steel sheet using a photopolymerization reaction. The weak acidity of acrylic acid decomposes rust, and the gel formed by the reaction of acrylic acid with acrylamide has strong adsorption capacity, which effectively adsorbs rust molecules and metal ions. The introduced Cu₂O enhances the rust removal system. Cu₂O reacts with the acrylic acid monomer to form a monovalent copper complex, which can improve the rust removal efficiency during the process through redox reactions. The UV-induced copolymerization of acrylic monomers to form gel enables effective rust removal, with a rust removal rate as high as 85.94 g·h^–1·m^–2. This method avoids the use of strong acids commonly found in traditional rust removal methods, offering advantages such as environmental friendliness and low cost. The gel formed during the rust removal process can be easily and conveniently removed from the substrate surface, thus avoiding secondary pollution issues such as waste liquid disposal.