Self-healing and anti-corrosion performances of 1, 2, 4 - Triazole modified nano-silica hydrogels

Nano-silica hydrogel modified by 1, 2, 4-triazole used as anti-corrosion additive was prepared, and the self-healing property as well as the anti-corrosion performance of the unmodified and modified hydrogels coatings on Q235 steel surfaces were investigated. In comparison to the anti-corrosion properties of the unmodified hydrogel, the migration of the corrosive media to the modified hydrogel coatings was significantly improved due to the addition of the 1, 2, 4-triazole and the increased compactness degree of the film. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicated that several stages did appear during the self-healing process. Finally, the self-healing as well as the anti-corrosion mechanism of the modified hydrogels was discussed.