A smart self-healing coating utilizing pH-responsive dual nanocontainers for corrosion protection of aluminum alloy

In this study, a novel smart self-healing coating was developed for aluminum alloy surfaces using chitosan and mesoporous ZSM-5 molecular sieve as dual nanocontainers. These nanocontainers effectively address the challenges of limited loading capacity and uncontrolled release of corrosion inhibitors by offering pH-responsive properties that enable complementary release in both acidic and alkaline environments. The synthesized coating exhibited excellent anticorrosion and self-healing performance, as demonstrated by a corrosion inhibition efficiency of 99.98 % after 36 h of static corrosion and significant improvements in impedance values at defect sites. The self-healing mechanism is primarily driven by the formation of Ce(OH)3 and CeO2, which precipitate and accumulate at the corrosion sites, thereby preventing further degradation. This study highlights the potential of pH-responsive dual nanocontainer-based coatings for enhancing the durability and protection of aluminum alloys in corrosive environments.