A novel graphene/silica composite nanocontainer prepared by electrochemically assisted deposition.

A novel electrochemically assisted deposition technique (EAT) was proposed to construct graphene-based nanocontainers that store corrosion inhibitors. EAT enables graphene (Gr, rather than graphene oxide, GO) to be used for the first time to fabricate composite nanocontainers. Silica films deposited on graphene nanosheets by EAT have high coverage, strong adherence and can be up to 60 nm thick. The resulting Gr/SiO 2 nanocontainers were further modified by dodecyltrimethoxysilane (DTMS) to prepare superhydrophobic nanocontainers. The high-barrier graphene and hydrophobically modified SiO 2 in Gr/SiO 2 /DTMS nanocontainers could synergistically resist corrosive mediums. The polyvinyl butyral coatings doped with Gr/SiO 2 /DTMS nanocontainers pre-loaded with inhibitors exhibited excellent protective properties. • EAT is proposed to build graphene-like materials-based nanocomposites. • Inert graphene is used for the first time to fabricate composite nanocontainers. • The as-prepared Gr/SiO 2 composite is further hydrophobically modified with DTMS. • PVB/(Gr/SiO 2 /DTMS)@BTA composite coatings exhibit excellent protecting properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]