Enhanced corrosion resistance and self-healing effect of sol–gel coating incorporating one-pot-synthesized corrosion inhibitor-encapsulated silica nanocontainers

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology 2022-10, Vol.104 (1), p.78-90
• Main Authors: Huang, Yi, Zhao, Chenyang, Li, Yue, Wang, Chen, Shen, Tao, Wu, Chunchun, Hu, Zhongyuan, Cheng, Di, Yang, Hui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benzotriazole; Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coating effects; Compatibility; Composites; Corrosion; Corrosion effects; Corrosion inhibitors; Corrosion prevention; Corrosion resistance; Defects; Glass; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Metal surfaces; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper: Functional coatings; Protective coatings; Salt spray tests; Silicon dioxide; Sol-gel processes; Synthesis; thin films and membranes (including deposition techniques)
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-022-05929-3

Integration of corrosion inhibitor-loaded nanocontainers into sol–gel-derived anticorrosion coatings presents a promising strategy to endow them with self-healing ability and improve their long-term corrosion protection properties. In the present work, we demonstrate the preparation of sol–gel anticorrosion coating incorporating benzotriazole-loaded SiO 2 mesoporous nanocontainers (BTA@SiO 2 ) synthesized via a modified one-pot method. The nanocontainers exhibited suitable mesoporous structures and pH-dependent inhibitor release properties. Salt spray tests and EIS analysis on the nanocontainer-containing sol–gel coating indicated enhanced corrosion protection properties owing to the high compatibility of the silica skeleton of the nanocontainers with the sol–gel coating matrix, as well as the formation of inhibitive layer on the metal surface. Graphical abstract Highlights Corrosion inhibitor-loaded silica nanocontainers were prepared via an one-pot approach. The nanocontainers showed satisfactory mesoporous structures and pH-dependent release behavior. The nanocontainer-doped sol–gel coating exhibited enhanced corrosion protection properties. The silica nanocontainer shell provides better compatibility with coating matrix, thus creating less defects. The inhibitive layer formed by the nanocontainers suppressed the corrosion process at coating defects.