Graphene oxide (GO) synthesized from a flake-type of graphite powder, which was oxidized by various oxidizing agents, temperature control and two sets of drying processes, was electrophoresed on steel substrate for corrosion protection evaluation. The surface morphology, phase crystallization and defect states were determined by Electron microscopy equipped with an Energy dispersion spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and Raman and infrared spectra. The degrees of graphene oxide formation, intercalated defects and crystalline were observed by the impurities' changes and extending d-spacing. Besides, the BET, Zeta potential and electrochemical impedance spectra were measured to evaluate corrosion protection performance of GO electrophoresis deposition on steel. A strong oxidizing agent (NaNO3) with freeze drying provides high oxygenated functional groups in GO, thus, providing good corrosion protection against hydrochloric acid aqueous due to dense electrophoresis deposition, a lower corrosive current and high resistance of the carrier pathway. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.