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Epoxy-based smart coating with self-repairing polyurea-formaldehyde microcapsules for anticorrosion protection of aluminum alloy AA2024

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Abstract

Self-reparable microcapsules which can repair microcracks in the coating matrix and effectively inhibit the corrosion at the substrate/coating interface during service have been evaluated. The main objective was to fabricate an innovative pH-responsive permeability-switching polyurea-formaldehyde (PUF)-based microcapsule laden with 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) as the core material for the production of smart epoxy coating for the long-term protection of Al alloys. Combined improved barrier, active, and self-repairing properties indicating sort of triple-action corrosion mitigating ability of the modified epoxy-based smart coating was demonstrated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that the self-repairing action occurs via two mechanisms: firstly, by the initiation of chain mobility at the modified coating defects on heat treatment. Secondly, by the crosslinking of the swelled hydrogel present in the PUF shell wall via the various polymer–polymer interactions. The active corrosion protection was due to the (smart) pH response–release ability of the encapsulated inhibitor (8-HQ) with an increase in corrosion degree. Meanwhile, the even dispersal of the fabricated microcapsule with its intrinsic rough surface in the epoxy coating matrix contributed to the improved barrier and adhesive properties.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Fund of China under Contract No. 51871227, the National Natural Science Research Fund for International Young Scientists under Contract No. 51650110506, the Research Fund of Open Studio for Marine Corrosion and Protection Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), and the scholarship of Institute of Metal Research and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. The authors are profoundly grateful.

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Njoku, C.N., Bai, W., Arukalam, I.O. et al. Epoxy-based smart coating with self-repairing polyurea-formaldehyde microcapsules for anticorrosion protection of aluminum alloy AA2024. J Coat Technol Res 17, 797–813 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-020-00334-3

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