h‐BN / PANI Incorporated Polydimethylsiloxane Hydrophobic Coating With Active Corrosion Protection and Antibacterial Properties

ABSTRACT Here, we report the findings of the development and characterization of a mechanically robust hydrophobic hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN)‐polyaniline (PANI)‐based polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating for mild steel with active corrosion protection. PANI was in situ synthesized on the surface of h‐BN sheets, resolving the inherent stacking nature of h‐BN and agglomeration of PANI, and then incorporated into a PDMS coating. The wettability studies revealed that adding h‐BN/PANI pigments enhanced the hydrophobicity of the PDMS coating. The impedance modulus (| Z | at 0.01 Hz) of the PDMS coating containing h‐BN/PANI was approximately 10 9  Ω·cm 2 after 35 days of immersion in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, demonstrating excellent corrosion protection. Further, the results from scratch tests and salt spray tests revealed the active corrosion protection properties of the h‐BN/PANI/PDMS coating. The scratch and pull‐off adhesion tests confirmed the excellent adhesion of the h‐BN/PANI/PDMS coating, and the Taber abrasion test revealed that adding h‐BN enhances the wear resistance of the PDMS coating. Antibacterial studies against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli bacteria revealed PANI‐mediated antibacterial activity, signifying the potential of PANI‐incorporated coatings in preventing bacterial‐induced corrosion. This work will provide a new perspective on preparing a one‐layer siloxane coating with durable anti‐corrosion, hydrophobic, and antibacterial properties.