Synthesis of hybrid organic–inorganic inhibitive pigment based on basil extract and zinc cation for application in protective construction coatings

Abstract A hybrid corrosion inhibitive pigment based on zinc cation-basil leaf extract was synthesized for application in protective construction coatings. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), UV–vis spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used for characterization of the hybrid pigment. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was utilized to evaluate the corrosion inhibition efficiency of the hybrid pigment in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution on mild steel. The protective functioning of the synthesized pigment as incorporated into the epoxy coating was studied via salt spray test and EIS. Results showed a significant corrosion inhibition by the hybrid pigment in the solution phase. Besides, the hybrid pigment provided considerable improvement in corrosion protection in intact and artificially scratched coatings.