SECM study of defect repair in self-healing polymer coatings on metals

Simple and Efficient Synthesis of Oligoetherdiamines: Hardeners of Epoxyurethane Oligomers for Obtaining Coatings with Shape Memory Effect

In this work, new polymers with a shape memory effect for self-healing coatings based on oligomers with terminal epoxy groups, synthesized from oligotetramethylene oxide dioles of various molecular weights, were developed. For this purpose, a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of oligoetherdiamines with a high yield of the product, close to 94%, was developed. Oligodiol was treated with acrylic acid in the presence of a catalyst, followed by the reaction of the reaction product with aminoethylpiperazine. This synthetic route can easily be upscaled. The resulting products can be used as hardeners for oligomers with terminal epoxy groups synthesized from cyclic and cycloaliphatic diisocyanates. The effect of the molecular weight of newly synthesized diamines on the thermal and mechanical properties of urethane-containing polymers has been studied. Elastomers synthesized from isophorone diisocyanate showed excellent shape fixity and shape recovery ratios of >95% and >94%, respectively.

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as multifunctional nanoplatform for anticorrosion surfaces and coatings

Corrosion of metallic materials is a long-standing problem in many engineering fields. Various organic coatings have been widely applied in anticorrosion of metallic materials over the past decades. However, the protective performance of many organic coatings is limited due to the undesirable local failure of the coatings caused by micro-pores and cracks in the coating matrix. Recently, metal organic frameworks (MOFs)-based surfaces and coatings (MOFBSCs) have exhibited great potential in constructing protective materials on metallic substrates with efficient and durable anticorrosion performance. The tailorable porous structure, flexible composition, numerous active sites, and controllable release properties of MOFs make them an ideal platform for developing various protective functionalities, such as self-healing property, superhydrophobicity, and physical barrier against corrosion media. MOFs-based anticorrosion surfaces and coatings can be divided into two categories: the composite surfaces/coatings using MOFs-based passive/active nanofillers and the surfaces/coatings using MOFs as functional substrate support. In this work, the state-of-the-art fabrication strategies of the MOFBSCs are systematically reviewed. The anticorrosion mechanisms of MOFBSCs and functions of the MOFs in the coating matrix are discussed accordingly. Additionally, we highlight both traditional and emerging electrochemical techniques for probing protective performances and mechanisms of MOFBSCs. The remaining challenging issues and perspectives are also discussed.

Uses of Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) for the Characterization with Spatial and Chemical Resolution of Thin Surface Layers and Coating Systems Applied on Metals: A Review

Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) is increasingly used in the study and characterization of thin surface films as well as organic and inorganic coatings applied on metals for the collection of spatially- and chemically-resolved information on the localized reactions related to material degradation processes. The movement of a microelectrode (ME) in close proximity to the interface under study allows the application of various experimental procedures that can be classified into amperometric and potentiometric operations depending on either sensing faradaic currents or concentration distributions resulting from the corrosion process. Quantitative analysis can be performed using the ME signal, thus revealing different sample properties and/or the influence of the environment and experimental variables that can be observed on different length scales. In this way, identification of the earlier stages for localized corrosion initiation, the adsorption and formation of inhibitor layers, monitoring of water and specific ions uptake by intact polymeric coatings applied on metals for corrosion protection as well as lixiviation, and detection of coating swelling—which constitutes the earlier stages of blistering—have been successfully achieved. Unfortunately, despite these successful applications of SECM for the characterization of surface layers and coating systems applied on metallic materials, we often find in the scientific literature insufficient or even inadequate description of experimental conditions related to the reliability and reproducibility of SECM data for validation. This review focuses specifically on these features as a continuation of a previous review describing the applications of SECM in this field.

Contributions of Microelectrochemical Scanning Techniques for the Efficient Detection of Localized Corrosion Processes at the Cut Edges of Polymer-Coated Galvanized Steel

Spatially resolved information on corrosion reactions operating at the cut edges of coated metals can be obtained using microelectrochemical scanning techniques using a suitable selection of operation modes and scanning probes. The scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) provides current density maps with a spatial resolution of the order of the dimensions of the sample, which allows the temporal evolution of the corrosion reactions to be followed over time. This leads to the identification and localization of cathodic and anodic sites, although the technique lacks chemical specificity for the unequivocal identification of the reactive species. The application of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was previously limited to image cathodic reaction sites, either due to oxygen consumption in the amperometric operation or by the alkalinisation of the electrolyte in potentiometric operation. However, it is shown that anodic sites can be effectively monitored using an ion-selective microelectrode (ISME) as a probe. The ISME probes detected differences in the local concentrations of Zn²⁺ and OH⁻ ions from the cut edges of a complete coil coating system compared to the same system after the polymeric layers were removed. In this way, it has been shown that the inhibitor loading in the polymer layers effectively contributes to reducing the corrosion rates at the cut edge, thus helping to extend the useful life of the sacrificial galvanized layer bonded directly to the steel matrix. Additionally, these two probe configurations can be integrated into a multi-electrode tip for potentiometric operation to simultaneously monitor localized changes in pH values and metal ion dissolution in a single scan. Spatial and temporal distributions were further investigated using different rastering procedures, and the potential of constructing pseudomaps for 2D-imaging is described.

Self-Repairing Composites for Corrosion Protection: A Review on Recent Strategies and Evaluation Methods

The use of self-healing coatings to protect metal substrates, such as aluminum alloys, stainless steel, carbon steel, and Mg alloys from corrosion is an important aspect for protecting metals and for the economy. During the past decade, extensive transformations on self-healing strategies were introduced in protective coatings, including the use of green components. Scientists used extracts of henna leaves, aloe vera, tobacco, etc. as corrosion inhibitors, and cellulose nanofibers, hallyosite nanotubes, etc. as healing agent containers. This review gives a concise description on the need for self-healing protective coatings for metal parts, the latest extrinsic self-healing strategies, and the techniques used to follow-up the self-healing process to control the corrosion of metal substrates. Common techniques, such as accelerated salt immersion test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), for evaluating the self-healing process in protective coatings are explained. We also show recent advancements procedures, such as scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), as successful techniques in evaluating the self-healing process in protective coatings.

Triple-Action Self-Healing Protective Coatings Based on Shape Memory Polymers Containing Dual-Function Microspheres

In this study, a new self-healing shape memory polymer (SMP) coating was prepared to protect the aluminum alloy 2024-T3 from corrosion by the incorporation of dual-function microspheres containing polycaprolactone and the corrosion inhibitor 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ). The self-healing properties of the coatings were investigated via scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and scanning electrochemical microscopy following the application of different healing conditions. The results demonstrated that the coating possessed a triple-action self-healing ability enabled by the cooperation of the 8HQ inhibitor, the SMP coating matrix, and the melted microspheres. The coating released 8HQ in a pH-dependent fashion and immediately suppressed corrosion within the coating scratch. After heat treatment, the scratched coating exhibited excellent recovery of its anticorrosion performance, which was attributed to the simultaneous initiation of scratch closure by the shape memory effect of the coating matrix, sealing of the scratch by the melted microspheres, and the synergistic effect of corrosion inhibition by 8HQ.

A shape-recovery polymer coating for the corrosion protection of metallic surfaces

Self-healing polymer coatings are a type of smart material aimed for advanced corrosion protection of metals. This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of two new UV-cure self-healing coatings based on acrylated polycaprolactone polyurethanes. On a macroscopic scale, the cured films all show outstanding mechanical properties, combining relatively high Young's modulus of up to 270 MPa with a strain at break above 350%. After thermal activation the strained films recover up to 97% of their original length. Optical and electron microscopy reveals the self-healing properties of these coatings on hot dip galvanized steel with scratches and microindentations. The temperature-induced closing of such defects restores the corrosion protection and barrier properties of the coating as shown by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning vibrating electrode technique. Therefore, such coatings are a complementary option for encapsulation-based autonomous corrosion protection systems.

Self-healing gels based on constitutional dynamic chemistry and their potential applications

This review presents recent developments and potential applications of physical and chemical self-healing gels based on constitutional dynamic chemistry.

The rapid formation of functional monolayers on silicon under mild conditions

Rapid grafting of aromatic-conjugated acetylenes on non-oxidized Si(100) electrodes and the importance of the interplay between the solvent's dielectric constant and the adsorbate's electron-scavenging ability.