Highlighting the Dynamics of Graphene Protection toward the Oxidation of Copper Under Operando Conditions

Graphene, thanks to its hydrophobicity and impermeability to all gas molecules, acts as a protective layer for its supporting substrate. It is resistant to oxidation and can also decouple adsorbed molecular layers from an underlying metal. Being impermeable to liquids and gases and inert to most chemicals, graphene is also widely studied as an anticorrosive coating for metals. Of strong technological interest is the high-temperature corrosion phenomenon, which is the chemical deterioration of copper as a result of heating in an aggressive (e.g. oxidizing) environment.

This form of corrosion is of particular interest for materials used in car engines, power generation, turbines, or other machinery coming in contact with an atmosphere containing corrosive products of combustion at high temperatures. [CONTINUE READING]