Nanostructured Zinc Materials for Enhanced Corrosion Resistance in Saline Solutions

Zinc nanomaterials, including zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and zinc-based nanocomposites, have attracted significant attention as effective corrosion inhibitors in saline environments. Compared to conventional corrosion inhibitors, zinc nanomaterials exhibit superior performance due to their high surface area, nanoscale dimensions, and enhanced surface reactivity. These properties enable them to form a compact and protective barrier layer on metal substrates such as mild steel, aluminum, and copper. The protective layer prevents the penetration of aggressive species such as chloride ions and dissolved oxygen, thereby reducing anodic metal dissolution and cathodic reduction reactions. Furthermore, zinc nanomaterials can adsorb onto the metal surface through electrostatic interactions and chemical bonding, resulting in the formation of a stable passive film that improves corrosion resistance. In saline media, including sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions and seawater, these nanomaterials inhibit corrosion through multiple mechanisms such as surface adsorption, protective film formation, and sacrificial protection. In addition, zinc-based nanoparticles can function as carriers for organic or green corrosion inhibitors, enhancing their stability and enabling controlled release behavior. The corrosion inhibition performance of zinc nanomaterials is commonly evaluated using electrochemical techniques such as potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), along with surface characterization methods including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Several studies have reported inhibition efficiencies exceeding 85–95% in saline environments, highlighting the strong potential of zinc nanomaterials as next-generation corrosion inhibitors for marine and industrial applications.