Graphene/Epoxy Composite Coating Damage under γ-ray Irradiation and Corrosion Protection

Polymer networks like epoxy resin, as common protection materials, always experience radiolytic oxidation degradation under gamma irradiation environment. To avoid this, we report a scheme to synthesis EPTES modified graphene oxide, and incorporate it into the epoxy resin, followed by thermal polymerization, then obtain a graphene/epoxy composite coating. Electrochemical tests were performed to prove the influence of γ-ray on a anti-corrosion properties of the Graphene/epoxy composite coating. electron spin resonance (ESR) and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to evaluate the damage degree under the gamma irradiation, as well as to confirm its mechanism of graphene in the epoxy resin matrix during the irradiation. The result of Tafel slope showed that the corrosion current of GEP was 6.140×10^-9 A/cm², smaller than neat epoxy, indicating a better anticorrosion property of the graphene/epoxy composite coating after 280 kGy irradiation. This findings pointed that graphene possesses anti-corrosion property under 280 kGy irradiation. The electron spin resonance and FT-IR detection show that graphene act as radical scavenger, thus decrease damage from gamma irradiation, and slow down ageing process of the coating under the gamma irradiation.