Evaluation of physiochemical and electrochemical behaviour of reduced grapheme functionalized copper nanostructure as an effective corrosion inhibitor

This study examines the physicochemical properties and corrosion resistance of hydrothermally produced copper oxide-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (CuO/rGO). The CuO/rGO nanocomposite has a well-defined and homogeneous structure, decreased crystal size, and uniformly distributed CuO nanoparticles tethered to the rGO. X-Ray diffraction confirms the fabrication of 15.1 nm crystalline monoclinic CuO nanoparticles. EDX confirms the composite's composition by detecting Cu, O, and C components. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (LSV) tests evaluate the CuO/rGO nanocomposite's corrosion resistance. A mild steel plate under an HCl electrolyte with corrosion in the PPM ratio treats the nanocomposite-coated substrate. The composite's synergistic effect is assessed by comparing its corrosion performance to CuO/rGO concentrations in ppm. The corrosion resistance data demonstrate that the CuO/rGO composite improves with inhibitor concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm. Adding rGO to the composite protects it and speeds up charge transfer, reducing corrosion and improving stability. The composite's synergistic effect of CuO and rGO provides excellent corrosion resistance regardless of concentration, making it a viable material for corrosion-prone applications. The research develops novel and effective anti-corrosion methods to preserve materials in the food, automotive, and large-scale energy industries. KEY WORDS: CuO/rGO nanocomposite, Tafel plot, Corrosion protection, Surface analysis Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2024, 38(1), 269-280. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v38i1.20