Degradation of engineering metallic materials by aggressive/corrosive environment and its mitigation costs dearly (any developed economy loses 3-4% of GDP due to corrosion, which translates to ~$250b to annual loss USA). In spite of traditional approaches of corrosion mitigation (e.g., use of corrosion resistance alloys such as stainless steels and coatings), loss of infrastructure due to corrosion continues to be a vexing problem.  So, it is technologically as well as commercially attractive to explore disruptive approaches for durable corrosion resistance.

Graphene has triggered unprecedented research excitement for its exceptional characteristics. The most relevant properties of graphene as corrosion resistance barrier are its remarkable chemical inertness, impermeability and toughness, i.e., the requirements of an ideal surface barrier coating for corrosion resistance.  However, the extent of corrosion resistance due to graphene coating has been found to vary considerably in different studies. The presenter’s group has demonstrated an ultra-thin graphene coating to improve corrosion resistance of copper by two orders of magnitude in an aggressive chloride solution (similar to sea-water). In contrast, other reports suggest the graphene coating to actually enhance corrosion rate of copper, particularly during extended exposures.  Presenter’s group has investigated the reasons for such contrast in corrosion resistance due to graphene coating as reported by different researchers.  On the basis of the findings, the group has succeeded in demonstration of durable corrosion resistance as result of development of suitable graphene coating. The presentation will also assess the challenges in developing corrosion resistant graphene coating on most common engineering alloy, mild steel, and include results demonstrating circumvention of these challenges.