Polymer-corrosion inhibitor conjugates as additives for anticorrosion application

Uncontrolled leaching of inhibitors from coatings containing corrosion inhibitors into the environment, even when corrosion does not occur, causes environmental pollution and reduces the anticorrosion performance. To overcome these issues, we developed a new anticorrosive additive for commercial epoxy coatings based on a polymer-corrosion inhibitor conjugate which can control the release of corrosion inhibitors when corrosion occurs. Coatings containing the responsive additives induce a slower leaching of corrosion inhibitor and a better anticorrosion performance compared to coatings containing entrapped corrosion inhibitor at the same concentration. Indeed, the corrosion rate of steel coated with an epoxy coating containing the polymer-inhibitor conjugate is ~3 times lower than for the coating containing the non-conjugated inhibitor. We show hence that polymer-corrosion inhibitor conjugates can be employed as efficient additives in commercial coatings. This strategy opens new avenues for the development and commercialization of materials with high corrosion protection which are environmentally responsible.