A new combination of amino and mercapto type coupling agent to fabricate polymer-coated cobalt ferrite nanocomposite as corrosion inhibitor with high performance film-forming

Nanotechnology has transformed industrial corrosion limitations, offering opportunities to enhance treatment outcomes while minimizing adverse effects. This study focuses on the combination of amino and mercapto-type coupling agents to fabricate sulfonium group-containing polymer-coated cobalt ferrite nanoparticles for potential application as anti-corrosion. In this research work, two types of polymer-ferrite nanocomposite composed of a monomer comprising a sulfonium group wherein inorganic nanoparticle cores are coated by a layer comprising a copolymer of the aforesaid monomer at one end of the molecule. Two systems including a lecithin surfactant-based microemulsion system and a free lecithin emulsion system were used to synthesis nanocomposites and were labeled as PF-A and PF-B respectively. The prepared samples were characterized with X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis. The prepared PF-A nanocomposite provide a forming a film having excellent anticorrosion properties on a metal surface without producing sludge, and without using phosphorus or chromium compared to PF-B in a 1.0 M HCl solution, with 100% maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency at 1.5 Wt.% of nanocomposite based on the normalized weight loss (mg/cm2) measurements. The operational parameters such as temperature, and concentration of inhibitor were studied. The film forming on the surface of steel with both nanocomposite samples was confirmed with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and the obtained results reveal globular nanospheres compacted and aligned near each other forming an anticorrosive shield monolayer against the corrosive environment. AFM images validate the film-forming on the surface of the steel plate and experimental findings of the anti-corrosion inhibition for both samples compared to the control sample due to a unique combination of amine and mercapto type of coupling agents with synergistic effect.