An article comprises a substrate; a polymer coating; and an intermediate layer disposed between the substrate and the polymer coating, the intermediate layer comprising a carbon composite, wherein the carbon composite comprises carbon and a binder containing one or more of the following: SiO2; Si; B; B2O3; a metal; or an alloy of the metal; and wherein the metal comprises one or more of the following: aluminum; copper; titanium; nickel; tungsten; chromium; iron; manganese; zirconium; hafnium; vanadium; niobium; molybdenum; tin; bismuth; antimony; lead; cadmium; or selenium.