Bio-based waterborne polyester/cellulose nanofiber-reduced graphene oxide-zinc oxide nanocomposite: an approach towards sustainable mechanically robust anticorrosive coating

The protection of metal surfaces from corrosion by sustainable polymeric coatings is an interesting research topic. Herein, an environmentally benevolent fabrication of a bio-based waterborne polyester nanocomposite is presented, as a mechanically tough anticorrosive organic coating using cellulose nanofiber-reduced graphene oxide-zinc oxide nanohybrid as the reinforcing agent in the polymer matrix. The nanohybrid was prepared by a one-pot facile hydrothermal method. This nanohybrid was incorporated into the polyester matrix at different loadings. The prepared nanohybrid and the nanocomposites were characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The thermosets of the prepared nanocomposites exhibited excellent anticorrosion activity on metal surfaces with similar to 99.5-99.9% corrosion protection efficiency, as confirmed from the electrochemical corrosion studies. Further, the fabricated thermosets were also found to be transparent in visible light, mechanically tough, thermally stable; and showed good UV aging and chemical resistance. Thus, the fabricated thermosetting nanocomposites have enormous potential as mechanically tough sustainable anticorrosive coating materials. [GRAPHICS] .