Computational, kinetic, and electrochemical studies of polyaniline functionalized ZnO and ZnO-SiO2 nanoparticles as corrosion protection films on carbon steel in acidic sodium chloride solutions

Oxygen enriched PAni-based counter electrode network toward efficient dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have great potential as a renewable energy technology assisting combat climate change due to its low cost, adaptability, and sustainability. Oxygen plasma ion doping is a promising strategy to improve the capacity of a low-cost, platinum-free counter-electrodes (CEs) to absorb photons and drive high-performance DSSCs via generating an abundance of active absorption sites. In this instance, novel PAni-ZnO (PZ) composite layers were designed as a CE material and received various in-situ oxygen plasma dosages, including 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 min, to improve their physiochemical and microstructural feature for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Physical evaluations of the microstructure, porosity, morphology, contact angle, roughness, electrical, and optical, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) features of CEs were conducted in along with an evaluation of J-V variables. Compared to pristine CE substance, the surface nature of the modified hybrids was gradually enhanced as the plasma level rose, reaching an optimum after 8 min (i.e. 0.2 µm for average pore size and average roughness Ra = 7.21 µm). Expanded plasma treatment doses also improved PV cell performance even further: after 4 min at a plasma level, η = 5.41% was obtained, and after 6 min in a oxygen plasma environment, η = 5.81% was obtained. Mixing high energetic plasma ions increased the mobility of charge carriers in PAni composites along with lowered charge carrier recombination through generating an environment that was conducive to charge dissociation. Therefore, longer lifespans and more effective charge transfer inside the photovoltaic cell as a consequence of the increased mobility less resistive losses. In this respect, following 8 min of plasma surface modification of the PZ CE, the optimized efficiency of 6.31% and Jsc of 15.6 mA/cm2 were obtained. The improvement in efficiency equated to a proportion growth of 77% versus a pristine one. This gain was explained by the reality that suffusing a quantity of oxygen plasma free radicals into the PAni system developed continuous channels that enabled the mixture to move electrons more rapidly, hence raising the photovoltaic efficiency. Overall, this study highlights the advantages of regulating heteroatom species and their co-doping, offering a new perspective for the application of heteroatom-doped CE in DSSCs.

A Comprehensive Review of Nanoparticles: From Classification to Application and Toxicity

Nanoparticles are structures that possess unique properties with high surface area-to-volume ratio. Their small size, up to 100 nm, and potential for surface modifications have enabled their use in a wide range of applications. Various factors influence the properties and applications of NPs, including the synthesis method and physical attributes such as size and shape. Additionally, the materials used in the synthesis of NPs are primary determinants of their application. Based on the chosen material, NPs are generally classified into three categories: organic, inorganic, and carbon-based. These categories include a variety of materials, such as proteins, polymers, metal ions, lipids and derivatives, magnetic minerals, and so on. Each material possesses unique attributes that influence the activity and application of the NPs. Consequently, certain NPs are typically used in particular areas because they possess higher efficiency along with tenable toxicity. Therefore, the classification and the base material in the NP synthesis hold significant importance in both NP research and application. In this paper, we discuss these classifications, exemplify most of the major materials, and categorize them according to their preferred area of application. This review provides an overall review of the materials, including their application, and toxicity.

Novel synthesized triazole derivatives as effective corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in 1M HCl solution: experimental and computational studies

This article outlines the synthesis of two derivatives of 4-amino-5-hydrazineyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol for the prevention of carbon steel corrosion in 1M HCl solution. These derivatives are (Z)-3-(1-(2-(4-amino-5-mercapto-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)hydrazono)ethyl)-2H-chromen-2-one (TZ1) and 5-(2-(9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)hydrazineyl)-4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (TZ2). Weight loss, electrochemical experiments, surface examinations, and theoretical computation are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the two compounds to be used as corrosion inhibitors. Weight loss and electrochemical studies demonstrate that these derivatives reduce the corrosion rate of carbon steel. To examine the morphology and constitution of the carbon steel surface submerged in HCl solution as well as after adding inhibitors, surface examination tests are performed. Analysis of the test solution via UV-visible spectroscopy is employed to check the possibility of complex formation between inhibitor molecules and Fe2+ ions released during the corrosion process. In order to explore their biological activity, the antibacterial activity was investigated against (E. coli and Bacillus subtilis). Finally, theoretical confirmation of the experimental findings is provided by quantum chemical (DFT) and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation studies. More adsorption sites are present in the derivatives of 4-amino-5-hydrazineyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol, which offer a novel perspective for developing new classes of corrosion inhibitors with substantial protective efficacy, especially at high temperatures.

Tailoring epoxy coating with acetoxime derivative of zinc for advanced anticorrosive performance on mild steel: experimental and computational insights

CONTEXT

In this work, the corrosion inhibitive effect of acetoxime derivative of zinc chloride, (ZnCl2.2HON=C(CH3)2) (ZA), was investigated on mild steel in epoxy/polyamide coating. ZA was used to modify diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) to yield novel anticorrosive coating (epoxy-ZA) with excellent barrier characteristic. The dispersal of ZA may lead to the formation of Zn-O-C and O-Zn-O linkages in the polymer framework which act as inorganic fillers producing a dense structure of hybrid coating. In electrochemical findings, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel polarization (TP) indicate higher protection efficiency for epoxy-ZA coatings (99.99 and 99.93 % for EIS and TP, respectively) as compared to others. Using surface analysis and electrochemical data, it was concluded that an inhibition synergy was developed when ZA was taken instead of acetoxime or zinc chloride (ZC) alone in the coating formulation.

METHODS

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) was used to investigate epoxy interaction with zinc compounds and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate morphology of the samples. To reinforce the experimental results, reactivity of crosslinked epoxy and epoxy-ZA coatings with metallic surface was also explored using density functional theory (DFT) with basis set B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and molecular dynamics (MD) methods by using Forcite module. Modification of epoxy with ZA enhances its interaction with steel surface in dry as well as in wet conditions as indicated by the adhesion energy calculated by MD simulations.

Advanced Protective Films Based on Binary ZnO-NiO@polyaniline Nanocomposite for Acidic Chloride Steel Corrosion: An Integrated Study of Theoretical and Practical Investigations

Due to their thermal stability characteristics, polymer/composite materials have typically been employed as corrosion inhibitors in a variety of industries, including the maritime, oil, and engineering sectors. Herein, protective films based on binary ZnO-NiO@polyaniline (ZnNiO@PANE) nanocomposite were intended with a respectable yield. The produced nanocomposite was described using a variety of spectroscopic characterization methods, including dynamic light scattering (DLS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) approaches, in addition to other physicochemical methods, including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). By using open-circuit potentials (OCP) vs. time, electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS), and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) methods, the inhibitory effects of individual PANE and ZnNiO@PANE on the mild steel alloy corrosion in HCl/NaCl solution were assessed. The ZnNiO@PANE composite performed as mixed-type inhibitors, according to PDP findings. PANE polymer and ZnNiO@PANE composite at an optimal dose of 200 mg/L each produced protective abilities of 84.64% and 97.89%, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm model is used to explain the adsorption of ZnNiO@PANE onto MS alloy. DFT calculations showed that the prepared materials' efficiency accurately reflects their ability to contribute electrons, whereas Monte Carlo (MC) simulations showed that the suitability and extent of adsorption of the ZnNiO@PANE molecule at the metal interface determine the materials' corrosion protection process.

Synthesis and Characterization of the Mixed Metal Oxide of ZnO-TiO2 Decorated by Polyaniline as a Protective Film for Acidic Steel Corrosion: Experimental, and Computational Inspections

In this work, the preparation, characterization, and evaluation of a novel nanocomposite using polyaniline (PANi) functionalized bi-metal oxide ZnO-TiO₂ (ZnTiO@PANi) as shielding film for carbon steel (CS)-alloy in acidic chloride solution at 298 K was studied. Different spectroscopic characterization techniques, such as UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) approaches, as well as other physicochemical methods, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), were used to describe the produced nanocomposites. The significance of these films lies in the ZnO-TiO₂ nanoparticle's functionalization by polyaniline, a material with high conductivity and electrochemical stability in acidic solutions. The mechanistic findings of the corrosion inhibition method were obtained by the use of electrochemical methods including open-circuit potentials (OCP) vs. time, potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results indicate that the synthesized ZnTiO@PANi is a powerful acidic corrosion inhibitor, and its inhibition effectiveness is 98.86% in the presence of 100 ppm. Additionally, the charge transfer resistance (R_p) value augmented from 51.8 to 432.7, and 963.7 Ω cm² when the dose of PANi, and ZnTiO@PANi reached 100 ppm, respectively. The improvement in R_p and inhibition capacity values with an increase in nanocomposite dose is produced by the nanocomposite additives covering a larger portion of the surface, resulting in a decrease in alloy corrosion. By identifying the probable regions for molecule adsorption on the steel substrate, theoretical and computational studies provided significant details regarding the corrosion mitigation mechanism. The possibility of substituting old poisonous small substances with inexpensive and non-hazardous polymeric materials as shielding layers for utilization in the oilfield sectors is an important suggestion made by this research.