An Indian-American researcher and his partner invented a new technology that uses graphene to prevent steel from rusting.
Iron and steel rust is a big problem in the automotive industry. Although there is paint coverage, it is easy to scratch, and the bumper is coated with chromium. This process involves the addition of toxic chemicals.
In order to solve this problem, SUBA Buffalo professor of chemistry Sarbajit Banerjee and doctoral student Robert Dennis developed a polymer composite containing graphene.
Graphene is a layer of carbon atoms, it has hydrophobicity and strong conductivity. These properties make the steel contact with water and also reduce the electrochemical reaction of iron oxides that rust iron.
The two researchers added this composite coating to a varnish, applied it to steel, and then immersed it in salt water. In a typical winter climate, the mixture of salt water and salt and snow is different and a car will encounter a car, so it is very effective as a very harsh environmental avatar.
Initially, varnished steel sheets could only last in salt water for several days. However, Banerjee and Dennis can keep varnish in this environment for a month by adjusting the concentration and dispersion of added graphene.
Banerjee said that he wanted to add something to the coating that detects the pH of the water in the vicinity of the scratches and reacts with the water in a manner that seals the crack.
Although this technology still has a long way to go for commercialization, some large companies in the steel industry are also interested in participating in this research, especially Tata Steel, which has provided funding for Banerjee’s experiments. The two scientists also received $50,000 in funding from the New York State Institute of Pollution Prevention.
In a news release, Banerjee stated that the paint can be produced using the existing equipment of the local steel plant.
Unlike hexavalent chromium, used to coat bumpers and some engines, graphene is non-toxic because it is only a carbon atom and does not require the use of strong acids. It is safe throughout the process. These reasons make graphene a magic material for future electronic components.
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