The amount of water absorbed by the coating was estimated by
FTIR in Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) mode using a Thunderdome
ATR monoreflexion system (Ge crystal, 45◦). For ATR study,
coated steel samples were removed from the 3.5% NaCl solution
and wiped carefully with a paper tissue before analysis. Thirty
two scans with a resolution of 4 cm−1 were performed for each
sample.
CPs were analysed in the transmission mode as KBr pellets.