A kind of core cross-linked “semi-amphiphilic” polymer assemblies for controlled release of corrosion inhibitors and autonomous corrosion alarm

• A novel “semi-amphiphilic” block copolymer was designed via controlling the polarity difference between the blocks and epoxy. • The core cross-linked polymer assemblies were formed in epoxy by the dynamical cross-linking of the “semi-amphiphilic” block copolymer, which could be used directly in epoxy coatings to preload corrosion indicators and corrosion inhibitors. • The controlled release of corrosion inhibitors was fully reflected by the expansion of the capacitor ring and the increase of the coating resistance (Rc) with the extension of the immersion time. A novel kind of core cross-linked assemblies formed from a “semi-amphiphilic” block copolymer, poly (syringaldehyde methacrylate)-block-poly (dopamine methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate-co-styrene) (PSMA-b-P(DMA-co-MMA-co-St)), was designed and served as the carrier for anti-corrosive and corrosion detective molecules. Different from the core cross-linked micelles formed by the amphiphilic polymers in water, the core cross-linked assemblies in this research were formed from the “semi-amphiphilic” block copolymer, which took advantage of the different compatibility between epoxy and the blocks in the polymer, leading to the self-assembly behavior happening in the organic resin, while they shared the advantages of traditional core cross-linked micelles with the properties of being stable, stimuli-responsive and multifunctional. The pH-responsive properties of the assemblies and their complexation with Fe 3+ caused by the corrosion of the steel were confirmed by UV spectrophotometry and XPS analysis of the corrosive products. The controlled release of corrosion inhibitors was fully reflected by the expansion of the capacitor ring and the increase of the coating resistance (R c ) with the extension of the immersion time, which was got via fitting the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data with the equivalent electric circuits. Ultimately, the anti-corrosive mechanism of smart coating with the functional core cross-linked assemblies were also illustrated.