Functionalized Graphene Promoted Photocured Waterborne Acrylic/Polyaniline Conductive Anticorrosion Coatings

Hui Sun

doi:10.6919/ICJE.202604_12(4).0040

Authors

Hui Sun

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6919/ICJE.202604_12(4).0040

Keywords:

Functionalized Graphene; Photocuring; Polyaniline; Composite Coating; Electrical Conductivity; Corrosion Protection.

Abstract

Poor compatibility between graphene and polymer matrices impedes composite coatings from simultaneously meeting bipolar‑plate performance requirements for conductivity and corrosion resistance. To address this, a two‑step graphene functionalization was developed that retains high electrical conductivity while enabling the graphene to participate in the photocuring reaction and thereby strengthen interfacial bonding with the resin. A ternary composite containing 71wt% functionalized graphene (FG) and 11.8wt% polyaniline (PANI) exhibited a high electrical conductivity of 124.9 S·cm^-1 and a low interfacial contact resistance (ICR) of 16.18 mΩ·cm². Increasing the crosslink density between FG and the waterborne acrylic resin (WAR) reduced the corrosion current density (I_corr) to 0.56 μA·cm^-2. Property characterization indicates that PANI performs a dual role in the composite: it cooperates with FG to form continuous conductive pathways and fills coating voids while passivating the substrate, thereby enhancing barrier performance.

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