Adaptive Polymeric Coatings with Self‐Reporting and Self‐Healing Dual Functions from Porous Core–Shell Nanostructures

• Published in: Macromolecular materials and engineering Vol. 303; no. 4
• Main Authors: Wang, Jun‐Peng, Wang, Jun‐Kuo, Zhou, Qiong, Li, Zhan, Han, Yongsheng, Song, Yan, Yang, Shuo, Song, Xiaoke, Qi, Tao, Möhwald, Helmuth, Shchukin, Dmitry, Li, Guo Liang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-04-2018
• Subjects: adaptive polymer coatings; Benzotriazole; Chemical synthesis; Core-shell structure; Corrosion; Corrosion inhibitors; Corrosion prevention; Coumarin; Divinylbenzene; dual functions; Electrochemical corrosion; Fluorescent indicators; Fracture mechanics; Grafting; Healing; Metal surfaces; Methacrylic acid; Microspheres; Polymer coatings; Porosity; porous core–shell nanostructures; Protective coatings; self‐healing; self‐reporting; Sodium chloride; Substrates
• ISSN: 1438-7492; 1439-2054
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201700616

In biological system, early detection and treatment at the same moment is highly required. For synthetic materials, it is demanding to develop materials that possess self‐reporting of early damage and self‐healing simultaneously. This dual function is achieved in this work by introducing an intelligent pH‐responsive coatings based on poly(divinylbenzene)‐graft‐poly(divinylbenzene‐co‐methacrylic acid) (PDVB‐graft‐P(DVB‐co‐AA)) core–shell microspheres as smart components of the polymer coatings for corrosion protection. The key component, synthesized PDVB‐graft‐P(DVB‐co‐AA) core–shell microspheres are porous and pH responsive. The porosity allows for encapsulation of the corrosion inhibitor of benzotriazole and the fluorescent probe, coumarin. Both loading capacities can be up to about 15 wt%. The polymeric coatings doped with the synthesized microspheres can adapt immediately to the varied variation in pH value from the electrochemical corrosion reaction and release active molecules on demand onto the damaged cracks of the coatings on metal surfaces. It leads simultaneously to the dual functions of self‐healing and self‐reporting. The corrosion area can be self‐reported in 6 h, while the substrate can be protected at least for 1 month in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. These pH‐responsive materials with self‐reporting and self‐healing dual functions are highly expected to have a bright future due to their smart, long‐lasting, recyclable, and multifunctional properties.
Adaptive polymer coatings on metals can address scientific challenges, such as corrosion detection and self‐healing capability to increase materials durability on metal surfaces. Herein, adaptive polymer coatings on metal surfaces that are capable of self‐reporting and self‐healing dual functions for metal anticorrosion applications are reported.