Repairable mesoporous silica film with replenishing corrosion inhibitor as corrosion protection layer of aluminum alloy

Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) encapsulating mesoporous silica (MS) film shows strong corrosion protection property for aluminum alloy in NaCl solution. The corrosion protection capability of the MS film is reversible upon calcination or long term service and the replenishing with corrosion inhibitors. Replenishing the MS film with a quaternary ammonium bromide is molecular size selective. The corrosion protection capability of the replenished MS film is enhanced by increasing the carbon chain length of the ammonium molecule. The replenishing technique ensures the MS film as a repairable anti-corrosion film and extends its service life. The strong corrosion protection property of the MS film is attributed to its lowly porous structure and hydrophobic nature.