Sodium Lignosulfonate-Loaded Halloysite Nanotubes/Epoxy Composites for Corrosion Resistance Coating

[Image: see text] Corrosion resistance coating applied on Q235 carbon steel in a chloride-rich environment was explored in our research. The coating as a barrier inhibits the penetration of the corrosion medium and provides active corrosion protection for Q235 carbon steel. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were loaded with sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) under vacuum conditions. 4.53% of loading efficiency was validated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The deposition of polyelectrolyte layers including poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) not only resulted in controlling the release rate of SLS but also enabled the HNTs to possess pH-responsive release property. The modified HNTs were defined as “PSS/PDDA/SLS/HNTs”, which were characterized by SEM, TEM, FTIR, and zeta potential analyses. TGA elucidates that PSS/PDDA/SLS/HNTs exhibit superior thermal stability. The results of UV–vis spectroscopic analysis confirm that HNTs exhibit a higher release amount in an alkaline medium than in neutral and acidic conditions. Afterward, PSS/PDDA/SLS/HNTs were mixed with the epoxy coating, which was applied on Q235 carbon steel immersed in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution. Electrochemical measurements illustrate the excellent corrosion resistance of the epoxy coating with the addition of PSS/PDDA/SLS/HNTs. Also, water contact angle analysis demonstrates the modification of the epoxy coating with decent hydrophobicity.