pH-controlled release system based on the super-assembly of tannic acid and Cu2+ for metal protection

MOF-5 was employed to act as a nanocarrier to load the corrosion inhibitor of BTA molecules (MOF-5@BTA). A novel pH-responsive release system was also fabricated on the basis of the metal–phenolic network (MPN) coated on MOF-5@BTA via super-assembly (MOF-5@BTA@MPN). The chemical structure and surface morphologies of the prepared MOF-5@BTA@MPN were evaluated. Ultraviolet–vis measurements confirmed the pH-responsive release property of the prepared nanoparticles. Furthermore, the prepared nanoparticles were reinforced in epoxy resin to fabricate a composite coating. The results demonstrated that the composite coating exhibited excellent barrier and self-healing protection effects.