A comparative study of corrosion resistance of three carbon materials: Graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers

摘要

Corrosion is a phenomenon that materials are gradually destructed by chemical attacks [ 1 ]. Generally, this means electrochemical oxidation of metals. In the electrochemical systems, metal corrosion causes severe defects over electrode surface. The surface damage diminishes the intrinsic properties of the metal substrate, resulting in a lowered performance of devices. Therefore, the search for new anti-corrosion coating technologies is a very fascinating and significant challenge for potential applications such as salinity gradient power generation and seawater desalination. Recently, carbon nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and graphene have drawn keen attention as a good candidate for corrosion barrier because of their superior electrical and chemical properties [2-4]. Much effort has been made to improve corrosion resistance by developing optimum coating technology of such carbon materials over metal substrates. However, the effects of surface morphology and chemistry in carbon nanostructures on the corrosion rate still remain to be clarified.