LDH-Based "Smart" Films for Corrosion Sensing and Protection

In a "smart" corrosion-protective coating system, both the active anti-corrosion and the early corrosion detection of underlying metals are highly required. It is practical significant to develop materials that possess self-detecting of the early local corrosion and self-healing of coating defects simultaneously. The organic compound 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) is an effective inhibitor and a fluorescent sensor probe for corrosion of aluminum alloy. Therefore, a layer double hydroxide (LDH) nanocontainer film loaded with the 8HQ was developed for the active corrosion protection purpose of aluminum alloy AA2024. In corrosive environments, the 8HQ are released from LDH film to inhibit the corrosion process, leading to the loss of the complexation with Al³⁺ ions in LDH laminates, thus turning off fluorescence. Results show that the LDH film loaded with 8HQ composites can improve the anti-corrosion performance of the film by releasing corrosion inhibitors on demand. Simultaneously, due to the complexation of 8HQ and Al³⁺ ions, the LDH film is fluorescent at the initial stage under ultraviolet light, and then becomes non-fluorescent at the corrosion sites, indicating the corrosion evolution process of the coating. The 8HQ-loaded LDH film with self-healing and self-detecting dual functions provides promising opportunities for the effective corrosion protection of aluminum alloy due to its "smart" and multifunctional properties.

Layered double hydroxides for corrosion-related applications—Main developments from 20 years of research at CICECO

This work describes the main advances carried out in the field of corrosion protection using layered double hydroxides (LDH), both as additive/pigment-based systems in organic coatings and as conversion films/pre-treatments. In the context of the research topic “Celebrating 20 years of CICECO”, the main works reported herein are based on SECOP’s group (CICECO) main advances over the years. More specifically, this review describes structure and properties of LDH, delving into the corrosion field with description of pioneering works, use of LDH as additives to organic coatings, conversion layers, application in reinforced concrete and corrosion detection, and environmental impact of these materials. Moreover, the use of computational tools for the design of LDH materials and understanding of ion-exchange reactions is also presented. The review ends with a critical analysis of the field and future perspectives on the use of LDH for corrosion protection. From the work carried out LDH seem very tenable, versatile, and advantageous for corrosion protection applications, although several obstacles will have to be overcome before their use become commonplace.

Layered Double Hydroxide Protective Films Developed on Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys: Synthetic Methods and Anti-Corrosion Mechanisms

This work reviews the characteristics of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) in the context of protective thin films to enhance the corrosion resistance properties of aluminum alloys. A discussion is made in detail about the LDH protection mechanism and the effect of synthesis approaches on LDH structural variations and the corresponding anti-corrosion behavior. LDHs anion-exchange behavior to host inorganic/organic anions makes them a potential material to investigate for anti-corrosion film. This unique advantage and the availability of a wide range of metal oxide-based layers, interlayer anions, and self-healing properties make LDH family an attractive choice for the development of compact LDHs based smart coating systems.

Nanocontainer-based self-healing coatings: current progress and future perspectives

Nanocontainers add more functionalities to the standard coating formulations.

Synthesis and Characterization of Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Smart Corrosion Protection

Different approaches have been considered for the development of smart anticorrosive coatings by the incorporation of nanocontainers loaded with corrosion inhibitors into the protective layer. Nanocontainers are designed to allow a controlled release of the inhibitor in response to an external stimulus, thus, achieving more efficient and more economical use of the active component. In this case, a pH change is a very interesting stimulus to trigger the release because corrosion processes cause local pH changes. To this end, a special focus has been placed on the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) as nanocontainers due to their interesting characteristics, such as larger surface area, versatile functionalisation, stability, etc. However, the use of hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSN), with a large central hole combined with an external mesoporous silica shell, offers an additional advantage due to the higher loading capacity. In the present work, HMSN have been efficiently synthesised, loaded with sodium phosphomolybdate, as a non-toxic alternative to the use of chromates, and encapsulated by a layer of an oppositely charged polyelectrolyte, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). The morphology and textural properties of the produced nanocapsules have been studied by different techniques (SEM/EDS, TEM/EDS, Brunauer⁻Emmett⁻Teller (BET) analysis method, ζ-potential). Finally, the releasing capacity and corrosion protection at different pH values have been studied, confirming the smart behaviour of the encapsulated loaded HMSN.

Protection of multimaterial assemblies

The light-weight design calls for broader utilization of multimaterial mixes (M3) in different engineering structures, especially in the transportation area. Together with joining technologies for hybrid structures, the optimization of the life cycle of such systems is an issue of prime importance. Multimaterial structures are often prone to faster degradation under service conditions because of galvanically forced electrochemical corrosion. The protection technologies traditionally used for single-material structures are not always applicable for multimaterial design because of compatibility issues and a stronger thermodynamic driving force for degradation. In this chapter different strategies for protection of multimaterials structures are briefly overviewed. The main focus is on new alternative protection systems based on combination of synergistic inhibiting mixtures introduced into protective coatings. A road map which can be followed in order to create an efficient active protection coating for hybrid structures is suggested.

Development of nanoparticle stabilized polymer nanocontainers with high content of the encapsulated active agent and their application in water-borne anticorrosive coatings

A novel method for the encapsulation of organic active agents in nanoparticle-armored polymer composite nanocontainers (analog of Pickering emulsions) is introduced. The multifunctionality of the constituents allows a fabrication path that does not require auxiliary materials. Embedding the composite nanocontainers into a water-based alkyd resin and subsequent film formation yields a homogeneous polymer film doped with highly disperse composite nanocontainers. The resistance and self-healing of such a film on aluminium is enhanced.

Enhancement of active corrosion protection via combination of inhibitor-loaded nanocontainers

The present work reports the synthesis of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanocontainers loaded with different corrosion inhibitors (vanadate, phosphate, and 2-mercaptobenzothiazolate) and the characterization of the resulting pigments by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The anticorrosion activity of these nanocontainers with respect to aluminum alloy AA2024 was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The bare metallic substrates were immersed in dispersions of nanocontainers in sodium chloride solution and tested to understand the inhibition mechanisms and efficiency. The nanocontainers were also incorporated into commercial coatings used for aeronautical applications to study the active corrosion protection properties in systems of industrial relevance. The results show that an enhancement of the active protection effect can be reached when nanocontainers loaded with different inhibitors are combined in the same protective coating system.

Novel inorganic host layered double hydroxides intercalated with guest organic inhibitors for anticorrosion applications

Zn-Al and Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) loaded with quinaldate and 2-mercaptobenzothiazolate anions were synthesized via anion-exchange reaction. The resulting compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Spectrophotometric measurements demonstrated that the release of organic anions from these LDHs into the bulk solution is triggered by the presence of chloride anions, evidencing the anion-exchange nature of this process. The anticorrosion capabilities of LDHs loaded with organic inhibitors toward the AA2024 aluminum alloy were analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A significant reduction of the corrosion rate is observed when the LDH nanopigments are present in the corrosive media. The mechanism by which the inhibiting anions can be released from the LDHs underlines the versatility of these environmentally friendly structures and their potential application as nanocontainers in self-healing coatings.

One-step hydrothermal crystallization of a layered double hydroxide/alumina bilayer film on aluminum and its corrosion resistance properties

A zinc-aluminum layered double hydroxide (ZnAl-LDH)/alumina bilayer film has been fabricated on an aluminum substrate by a one-step hydrothermal crystallization method. The LDH film was uniform and compact. XRD patterns and SEM images showed that the LDH film was highly oriented with the c-axis of the crystallites parallel to the substrate surface. The alumina layer existing between the LDH film and the substrate was formed prior to the LDH during the crystallization process. Polarization measurements showed that the bilayer film exhibited a low corrosion current density value of 10(-8) A/cm(2), which means that the LDH/alumina bilayer film can effectively protect aluminum from corrosion. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that the impedance of the bilayer was 16 MOmega, meaning that the film served as a passive layer with a high charge transfer resistance. The adhesion between the film and the substrate was very strong which enhances its potential for practical application.

Scanning Kelvin Probe Studies of Cosmetic (Filiform) Corrosion on AA6016

Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP) potentiometry is used to systematically investigate the effect of surface abrasion and subsequent heat-treatment on the open-circuit potential in humid air of the AA6016 surface. SKP is also used to follow the kinetics of filiform corrosion and to determine characteristic potentials associated with the electrolyte-filled filiform head and dry filiform tail. It is shown that simply abrading with 180 grit SiC produces a surface potential up to 0.5V lower than the bulk. When the abraded sample is overcoated with a 30 micron layer of PVB (polyvinyl butyral) and exposed to HCl a fast, superficial filiform corrosion (FFC) is observed in which metal loss is limited to the thickness of the surface layer. Filiform head OCP values are similar to that of the surface layer, whereas filiform tail OCP values are similar to the bulk. A mechanism is proposed in which the ultra-fine grain structure of the surface layer produces an anodic activation and the potential difference between the surface layer and the bulk provides and increased thermodynamic driving force for corrosion. For post-abrasion heat treatment temperatures up to 350°C the fast filiform process is followed by a slower, deeper form of FFC.