A comparative investigation of the corrosion protection of copper-nickel (90/10) alloy by poly-3-amino-1,2,4-triazole embedded with various inorganic oxides in a neutral medium

Abstract

This study investigates the cyclic voltammetry driven electrochemical polymerization of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole on Cu-Ni (90/10) alloy and the development of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole based composite coatings incorporated with inorganic oxides (TiO₂, ZnO, CeO₂ and SiO₂). The corrosion inhibition performance of the resulting polymeric and composite coatings in neutral environment was assessed using electrochemical impedance and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. Further, it was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The morphological analysis of polymeric and composite film surfaces was performed using Atomic force microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy analysis. The results of electrochemical and polarization studies clearly demonstrated the significant enhanced corrosion resistance for the composite coatings compared to the 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole. This improved performance is attributed to the oxide nanoparticles sealing the coating defects such as pores, cracks and providing enhanced barrier properties. It also provides a synergistic corrosion inhibition effect between the organic polymeric matrix and the inorganic fillers.

Graphical abstract

Poly-3-amino-1,2,4-triazole coatings incorporated with TiO₂, ZnO, CeO₂, and SiO₂ were electropolymerized on Cu–Ni (90/10) alloy. Electrochemical, spectroscopic, surface morphological, and elemental analyses confirmed enhanced corrosion resistance. Among them, the TiO₂ composite showed superior protection due to compact, defect-free films and strong organic–inorganic interaction providing effective barrier properties in 3.5% aqueous NaCl.

The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.