Formulation of a promising antimicrobial and anticorrosive bi-functional boronated hyperbranched oleo-polyurethane composite coating through the exploitation of functionalized reduced graphene oxide as chain extender

Herein, a facile route was employed for the construction of novel dual-functional boronated (hybrid) hyperbranched polyurethane composite (HPUC) coatings using covalently functionalized reduced graphene oxide (FRGO) as chain extender and reinforcing agent. The FRGO exhibited excellent compatibility with the boronated HPU matrix that resulted in the chemical, structural and surface transformation of FRGO-HPUC coatings. The electrochemical corrosion studies were employed to confirm the protective performance of these composite coatings. The presence of electron deficient centres (tri-coordinated B) and electron rich FRGO restricted the diffusion of electrons through the coating network, which altered the mechanism of corrosion protection. In addition, the antimicrobial surface activity of these composites were investigated to ascertain their permanent contact killing properties.