Revolutionizing copper pipe durability: Shielding against corrosion with graphene oxide through electrophoretic application

Abstract

This research endeavors to utilize electrophoretic deposition (EPD) to coat copper (Cu) pipes with graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, aiming to bolster their resistance against corrosion. To achieve this, a stable aqueous colloidal suspension of GO was meticulously prepared via liquid exfoliation in deionized water. This suspension served as an electrolytic solution for EPD. The EPD process involved the meticulous application of varied operational parameters such as deposition time, applied voltage, and GO nanosheet concentration to facilitate anodic deposition on the copper pipe’s surface. To gauge the efficacy of the GO coating, evaluations were conducted to assess adhesive force and stabilization using specialized coating adhesion scratch testing equipment. Further analysis of the resulting film on the Cu pipe was executed employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). These methods provided detailed insights into the characteristics and properties of the GO material post-deposition. The study yielded noteworthy outcomes, revealing the achievement of a uniform, unbroken, and consistent coating film on the Cu pipe. This was accomplished by employing specific parameters as 60 s of deposition time, a GO concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, and a voltage of 20 V. Impressively, when subjected to a corrosive solution containing 3.5% sodium chloride, the corrosion protection exhibited a remarkable twofold enhancement compared to untreated copper tubing, boasting an efficiency (η) of 90.48%. These findings suggest that the Cu pipe, coated with GO using the EPD technique, holds significant promise for utilization in demanding industrial settings susceptible to corrosion challenges.