Corrosion Behavior of Polypyrrole/Mesoporous Silica Nanocontainers Coatings on the Mild Steel

The idea of smart corrosion inhibition is basis on either inhibitor consumption where it is needed or reducing harmful matrix interaction with it. In addition, applying corrosion inhibitor in a coating causes many problems such as loss of inhibition capability, coating degradation, or both. A useful technique to overcome this problem is applying of inert host systems of nanometer dimensions as nanocontainers, which is loaded by corrosion inhibitors. In this research, Mesoporous silica nanocontainer powders were applied as corrosion inhibitor hosts. Then, these powders were dispersed in the polypyrrole matrix and the release and protection properties of these composite coatings with and without inhibitor were studied in 0.03 M NaCl. Results showed that in higher pHs and chloride media, the release content of corrosion inhibitor is higher. The substrates were protected in the presence of corrosion inhibitor release from mesoporous silica in the chloride media compared to the coatings without inhibitor.