Impedance response of nanocomposite coatings comprising of polyvinyl butyral and Haydale’s plasma processed graphene

[Display omitted] •Plasma processed functionalized graphene as anti-corrosion pigments.•Nanocomposites of highly resistant (barrier) anti-corrosion polymer coatings.•Microstructure of nanocomposites was analyzed using scattering methods (SAXS). In this research, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study was conducted on graphene/polyvinyl butyral nanocomposite coatings. Functionalized graphene used in this study was produced by Haydale’s plasma modification process involved different gasses or their mixer such as argon, fluorine, and oxygen. The presence of porous bounded Warburg and Gerischer diffusion elements in the model circuits indicate that coatings behave as electrolyte diffusion limited or porous electrode that improves the mass transport resistance by trapping the electrolyte solution in the coating. Capacitive-resistive behavior at intermediate to lower frequencies range in phase angles also confirms the blocking behavior towards corrosive species. Small-angle x-ray scattering study shows that coatings have surface fractels structure of intermediate roughness to a smoother surface for composites coatings indicating improved dispersion of graphene in resin, which resulted enhanced barrier properties.