Performance Evaluation of Cassava Leaf-Based Silver Nanoparticle Epoxy Coatings for Enhanced Corrosion Resistance of Mild Steel

The conventional corrosion protection methods usually rely on chemicals which are chromate and phosphate – based of which have negative effects on the environment and human health. In order to key into the campaign for a sustainable environment, this study adopts the ‘green chemistry’ by investigating the corrosion protection performance of epoxy nanocomposite coatings reinforced with cassava leaf-derived silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Silver nanoparticles were synthesized via a green route using cassava (Manihot esculenta) leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The biosynthesized AgNPs fluid were incorporated into epoxy resin matrices at varying concentrations (0 mL, 3.34 mL, and 6.71 mL) and applied to mild steel substrates using the dip-coating method. The cassava based AgNPs was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) while the coated steel samples were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and the electrochemical performance was evaluated through potentiodynamic polarization tests in acidic medium to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the coating. The Results revealed that coatings containing higher AgNPs concentrations (6.71 mL) exhibited superior corrosion resistance, achieving an inhibition efficiency of 80.4% and reducing corrosion current density from 1.560 mA (control) to 0.305 mA. The high AgNPs coating also demonstrated improved surface uniformity and minimal porosity when compared with the control sample and the sample with low AgNPs.