Monodora Myristica Extract: A Sustainable Substitute to Zinc Phosphate for Epoxy Coatings.

Authors

  • MACDENIS EGBUHUZOR UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE NIGERIA Author
  • CHRIS DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY OWERRI, IMO STATE NIGERIA Author
  • ADA DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY OWERRI, IMO STATE NIGERIA Author
  • EMEKA DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY OWERRI, IMO STATE NIGERIA Author

Abstract

This research explored the use of monodora myristica (African nutmeg) extract as a sustainable and biodegradable substitute for zinc phosphate in epoxy coatings. A market standard coating formulation was used, and the percentage of zinc phosphate in the coating was substituted with Monodora myristica extract (MME). The coatings were applied to the mild steel substrate and allowed to dry in the open air.  Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of functional groups and bioactive ingredients that assist in both coatings' anti-corrosion properties. Morphological properties were studied using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Thermal studies were carried out using a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), while the electrochemical test utilised the rapid electrochemical assessment of paints (REAP) test. Finally, Computational studies were performed using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular Dynamics simulations (MDS). The results of the AFM showed a surface roughness of 1.15nm and 0.97nm for epoxy coated with zinc phosphate and extract, respectively. The extract-based coating had a slightly higher hardness value (100.3 HRB) compared to the market standard, with a micro hardness of 99.2 HRB.  The DSC results showed that both coatings exhibit minor low-temperature features (~50–80 °C). The zinc phosphate formulation maintains a gradual heat-flow profile, while Monodora extract coating shows an earlier and steadier increase in heat flow. The (REAP tests showed a very close coating solution resistance of 7.43 ohms and 8.99 ohms, and a very close Relative Time To Failure, TTF (hrs) of 1240.4. and 1090.23 hrs. for both the epoxy/zinc phosphate and epoxy/extract coatings, respectively. The study demonstrates that coatings formulated with MME exhibit comparable morphological, thermal, and electrochemical properties to zinc phosphate-based coatings, indicating that MME can effectively replace hazardous substances without compromising performance.

Author Biographies

  • ADA, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY OWERRI, IMO STATE NIGERIA

    Chinyere Ada Madu joined the services of the Federal University of TechnologyOwerri, Nigeria (FUTO) in 1998 as an assistant lecturer in the Department of Physics and rose to the rank of Professor in 2016. She has a PhD in Physics from FUTO. Her area of specialization is in Theoretical Solid State Physics while her primary research interests are in Electronic Structure Calculations and Renewable Energy.

    She was a member of the Renewable and Alternative Energy Research Group (RAERG) that got the World Step-B research grant for Renewable Energy based research in FUTO. She is also a member of the multidisciplinary Electrochemical Energy, Interfaces and Nanotechnology (EMINeNT) Research group that midwifed the World Bank-funded Africa Centre of Excellence in Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems ACE-FUELS. She is a fellow of the Renewable and Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria.

    Prof Madu has been a member of the University Senate from 2011 till date. She has at various times served the University as Deputy Director, Centre for Continuing Education(2011 – 2012); Acting Director, Centre for Continuing Education (2012 -2014); Acting Director, Institute for Women , Gender and Development Studies (2016-2017) and currently as the Head, Department of Physics (2017 – Date) and Deputy Centre Leader, ACE-FUELS (2019-Date).

    She has published widely in both local and international journals and has attended many local and international conferences and workshops.

    Chinyere is a devout Christian and is married to Engr Greg Madu and the marriage is blessed with six children.

  • EMEKA, DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY OWERRI, IMO STATE NIGERIA

    Emeka Oguzie is a Professor of Physical Chemistry at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO). He received his Ph.D in Physical Chemistry from the University of Calabar. He was a visiting (CAS-TWAS) post doctoral research fellow (2006-2007) and TWAS-UNESCO Associate (2008-2011) at the State Key Laboratory for Corrosion and Protection, Institute of Metal Research, Shenyang China. He was appointed Young Affiliate of TWAS, the World Academy of Science (2017-2012). He is Fellow of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).

    Prof. Oguzie’s research interests span the areas of Electrochemistry/Electrochemical Technology; Environmental & Occupational Hazards Management. His research group, the Electrochemistry & Materials Science Research Unit, EMRU-FUTO is known worldwide for groundbreaking research in metal corrosion and protection. He has made outstanding pioneering contributions in the development of non-toxic, environmentally friendly anticorrosion additives from biomass extracts.  Prof. Oguzie has successfully graduated 20 PhD students, with over 130 publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

    Prof. Oguzie has held several administrative positions in the University including; Associate Dean, School of Science, FUTO (2008 – 2012); Member, University Senate (2008 – Present); Head, Department of Environmental Technology, FUTO (2013 – 2015), Director, Center for Research & International Development, FUTO (2015-2017), Dean, School of Environmental Sciences at FUTO (2017-2019). He has garnered some experience working in industry, having been engaged as Research Advisor (Health, Safety & Environment) Shell Petroleum Development Company, Port Harcourt, Nigeria (2012 – 2013).

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Published

2025-10-01

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Vol. 21 No. 1 (2025)

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Monodora Myristica Extract: A Sustainable Substitute to Zinc Phosphate for Epoxy Coatings. (2025). WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development, 21(1), 41-56. https://wseass.com/index.php/ead/article/view/13