Corrosion behavior and protective ability of Zn and Zn–Co electrodeposits with embedded polymeric nanoparticles

The anodic behavior, corrosion resistance and protective ability of Zn and alloyed Zn–Co (∼3 wt.%) nanocomposite coatings were investigated in a model corrosion medium of 5% NaCl solution. The metallic matrix of the layers incorporates core–shell nano-sized stabilized polymeric micelles (SPMs) obtained from poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) block co-polymers. The protective properties of the composite coatings were evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization technique, polarization resistance measurements and powder X-ray diffraction. The sizes and distribution of the stabilized polymeric micelles in the starting electrolytes used as well as in the metal matrices of the layers were investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results obtained are compared to those of electrodeposited Zn and Zn–Co (∼3 wt.%) alloy coatings at identical conditions and demonstrate the enhanced protective characteristics of the Zn nanocomposites during the investigating period. The influence of the SPMs on the corrosion resistance of the nanocomposite layers is commented and discussed.