Plasma modification of a protective coating formed by hexamethylenimine m-nitrobenzoate on iron

A layer of hexamethylenimine m-nitrobenzoate was modified in low-temperatur e plasma on the air-oxidized iron surface. The composition and physicochemi cal properties of the modified inhibitor was studied by XPES and atomic for ce microscopy. It was assumed and then justified that the enhanced protecti ve properties of a plasma-treated coating are due to the formation of corro sion-resistant iron nitrides and oxides, as well as new nitrogen- and oxyge n-containing organic compounds with better inhibitive and adhesive abilitie s. Plasma-induced polymerization of the coating results in a high-strength, dense hydrophobic film that seems to be responsible for its enhanced barri er properties.