Enhanced gas barrier and anticorrosion performance of boric acid induced cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene)/graphene oxide film

A new series of boric acid (BA) induced cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) (EVOH)/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite (EVOH/BA/GO) films are prepared using different amount of GO and BA with respect to EVOH. The EVOH/BA/GO nanocomposites are respectively coated on nylon films and stainless steel substrates by a typical spray coating method, followed by thermal and hydrazine vapor treatment for gas barrier and corrosion studies. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses confirm the formation of cross-linked nanocomposite through the formation of B–O–C bond. The field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis indicates the formation of homogeneous structure for these nanocomposites. The storage modulus (at 25 °C) and elastic modulus of EVOH/15BA/5GO-coated film with 15% BA and 5% GO are enhanced by 280 and 60%, respectively, in comparison to nylon film. EVOH/15BA/5GO-coated nylon film exhibits dramatic reduction of hydrogen (6.9) and oxygen gas (1.5) transmission rates (cc/m²∙d∙atm) than pure nylon film. In addition, EVOH/15BA/5GO-coated stainless steel shows an ultralow corrosion current (0.294 μA/cm²) and corrosion rate (3.43 × 10⁻³ mm/year) than steel. A comparative study between EVOH/BA/GO and EVOH/GO is performed to examine the effect of the cross-linker on the different physical properties.