Oxide nanoparticle reservoirs for storage and prolonged release of the corrosion inhibitors

The hybrid sol-gel-based films are promising pre-treatments for metallic substrates. Unfortunately, those films cannot obtain the effective self-healing effect when coating is partially destroyed. Present work demonstrates the possibility to use the zirconia nanoparticles as a reservoir for the storage and prolonged release of the corrosion inhibitor. The nanoparticles not only reinforce the hybrid matrix but also absorb inhibitors ions releasing them during contact with moisture offering the effective self-healing properties. The prolonged release of inhibitor provides long term corrosion protection of the aluminium alloy 2024 compared to the case when the inhibitor is added to the sol-gel matrix.