Tribune News Network
Doha
Researchers at the Centre for Advanced Materials (CAM) at Qatar University (QU) have confirmed the improved corrosion inhibition and self-healing properties of the polymeric composite coatings modified by various anti-corrosive pigments, in collaboration with their industrial collaborators, Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre (QSRTC) and Qatar Metal Coating Company (QCOAT).
Recently their study, titled ‘Improved Properties of Polyolefin Nanocomposite Coatings Modified with Ceria Nanoparticles Loaded with 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole’, was published in the ‘Progress in Organic Coatings’ in October 2022. The research team has successfully published more than 30 research articles on polymeric smart self-healing composite coatings in well-reputed journals, in addition to two book chapters addressing corrosion challenges in the marine environment.
The study on the smart self-healing concept addresses this critical challenge by delivering an innovative and sound concept: autonomous corrosion protection solutions based on multilevel healing strategies for primers applied on piping steel networks exposed to marine environments. Polymeric coatings, which are modified with smart nano additives tailored to prevent and combat corrosion by autonomous healing with minimal human intervention, are considered a revolutionary solution to extend the lifetime and durability of painted materials.
Globally, steel-made infrastructures have been expanding at an incredible rate worldwide. They are critical for the expansion and operation of countless industries. Steel is susceptible to corrosion failures, particularly in aggressive environments, and requires surface protection and effective corrosion management to avoid failures. This scenario poses an enormous challenge to the industry: How to comply with these requirements while keeping competitive solutions, sustainable operations, and maintenance costs.
Dr. Abdul Shakoor, research assistant professor at the Centre for Advanced Materials (CAM), is leading the active research on the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymeric smart self-healing composite coatings. This applied research is in progress through various funded projects, mainly including “Smart Corrosion Protection Strategies for Steel Materials in the Oil and Gas Industry”, “Smart Single Layer Polyolefin Coatings for Corrosion Protection of Steel Parts (S2Coat)” and “Bio-Based Smart Coatings for Corrosion Sensing and Corrosion Healing”. The novel formulations of developed coatings can be used extensively in seawater desalination systems, the oil and gas industry, and the automobile industry.
The highly motivated research team at CAM includes Dr Noora Al-Qahtani (Research Assistant Professor), Sehrish Habib (PhD student),Muddasir Nawaz (Research Assistant), Norhan Ashraf (Research Assistant), Ahmed Bahgat (Research Assistant), Shoaib Ahmad (Master’s student), in addition to some undergraduate students Ahmadyar Qureshi, Solaiman Mohammad, and others. The team is working smartly to develop some novel chemistries of the polymeric composite coatings aiming to address the corrosion challenges, mainly in the oil and gas industry, which is the backbone of the economy in Qatar and the Middle East.
QSRTC always encourages active collaborative research with academic institutions. We believe sustainable development strongly depends upon the strong relationships between academia and industrial partners. QSRTC and QU’s work in designing, developing, and characterizing polymeric-based smart self-healing composite coatings for corrosion protection in the oil and gas industry is a noteworthy example of this collaboration.
At Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Lisbon, Portugal, around 60 percent of the scientific publications involve international collaborations with researchers from highly reputed research organizations. The research strategy of IST spans from creative fundamental research to innovative applied solutions carrying the potential to be transferred to the industry.
Q-COAT has a long-standing and active research collaboration with QU/CAM. The lab scale validation of high performance of epoxy coated rebars reinforced in concrete is an outstanding example of academia-industrial relationship. Among other ongoing collaborative research projects, smart self-healing composite coatings for corrosion protection are remarkable.
