The work performed within EcoGemCoat consisted of four work packages (WP). In WP 1 corrosion inhibitors (ie. cationic gemini surfactants) were prepared. In WP 2 the inhibitors were tested (corrosion and ecotoxicity tests). Ecotoxicity test were carried out in collaboration with Department of Biology and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies CESAM from the University of Aveiro. The most effective corrosion inhibitor (QSB2-12) was chosen for WP 3 in which smart anticorrosion coatings were prepared. In order to achieve that, first the corrosion inhibitor was immobilized into nanocontainers. Then, the resulting anticorrosive were prepared and characterised (WP4). The ability for the coatings to prevent corrosion of underlying steel substrates in neutral saline environment was studied by electrochemical corrosion tests. Additional mechanical testing based on tensile test with coupled electrochemical corrosion test was performed during the secondment at the University of Manchester. Ecotoxicity of the coatings was evaluated in CESAM.
The main results of EcoGemCoat are as follows:
• Ecotoxicity tests of the synthesised gemini surfactants towards marine microorganisms were obtained (WP 2). The tests showed that cationic gemini surfactants are less toxic than the monomeric surfactant CTAB and that they can be a more environmentally friendly substitute in various applications.
• The synthesised corrosion inhibitors (gemini surfactants) were tested in order to prevent corrosion of carbon steel in sodium chloride solution (WP 2). The tests showed that they are not the most effective, but their inhibition efficiency (IE) is 20% higher than IE for the monomeric surfactant DTAC.
• Novel gemini surfactant-based silica nanocapsules (Si_QSB) with lower toxicity were successfully synthesised and characterised (WP 3).
• Replacement of CTAB, which is commonly used as a template surfactant for silica nanocapsules synthesis, with less toxic gemini surfactant QSB2-12 is consistent with Safe-by-Design approaches for the synthesis of functional nanomaterials (WP 3).
• Ecotoxicity tests of coatings with free corrosion inhibitor (QSB2-12) and novel silica nanocapsules (Si_QSB) incorporated were carried out (WP 4).
• Development of the Fellow’s career which included gaining new skills, participation in conferences and a winter school, teaching activities at the University of Aveiro, supervision activities, writing scientific publications and grant proposals, project management and communications activities, was achieved.
The project results were presented in 3 international conferences (one presentation was awarded with Best oral presentation prize), published in scientific journals and conference proceedings, as well as presented to research groups (University of Aveiro and University of Manchester) during seminars. Communication to general public included participation and organization of workshops, webinars, exhibitions and an open lab day. News about EcoGemCoat progress were also spread on social media (Facebook and Twitter).
