Fabrication of anti-corrosion nitrogen doped graphene oxide coatings by electrophoretic deposition

This work assesses anti-corrosion properties of graphene and N-doped graphene coatings deposited on copper by an electrophoretic method. Graphene oxide (GO) precursor was synthesized by an improved Hummers' method, whereas N-doping was performed hydrothermally in the presence of ammonia. After nitrogenation, doped graphene oxide samples (NGO) contained a reduced amount of oxygen and about 9% w/w nitrogen as pyridinic, pyrrole, and graphitic groups. Nevertheless, it was possible to obtain a stable aqueous dispersion of NGOs, a prerequisite for the EPD process. According to SEM images, the EPD coatings were compact with minor defects. On the contrary, GO coating possessed cracks and large pores that resulted from gas evolution during electrolysis. Electrochemical studies showed that all coatings prevented copper from corrosion in saline solution, however, the nitrogenated coatings did not exhibit better anti-corrosion properties than reduced graphene oxide coating. A reasonable explanation of this finding is that some positive properties of the nitrogenated coatings, in terms of anti-corrosion action, like low hydrophilicity and good adhesion, were counteracted by their catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction.