Enrichment of epoxy coating on amalgamation with corrosion-resistant poly (2,3-benzopyrrole)/zinc oxide nanoflowers (PBZNF) synthesized composite for carbon steel alloy featuring excellent hydrophobicity

Herein, poly(2,3-benzopyrrole)/zinc oxide nanoflower (PBZNF) was synthesized and its optimised amount was blended in the polymeric epoxy resin to get superlative coating for carbon steel displaying ultrahigh hydrophobicity and excellent corrosion retardation. The composite and formulated coatings characterised using relevant structural techniques. EC (epoxy coating), ZNF/EC, and 0.05 g, 0.10 g and 0.15 g PBZNF blended EC for carrying out EIS study where in 0.10PBZNF/EC coating over carbon steel reflected highest hydrophobicity (139.1°) and R_ct = 3.01 × 10⁹ Ω cm² in 3.5% NaCl solution after 42 days with 93.91% found as its protectivity and inducing scratches, EIS of 0.10PBZNF/EC demonstrated 1.17 × 10⁹ Ω cm² after 48 h.