Sol-gel coatings modified with zeolite fillers for active corrosion protection of AA2024

► Zeolites as nanocontainers for corrosion inhibitors. ► Ce (III) as corrosion inhibitor. ► pH as the trigger mechanism of cerium release from zeolites. ► Zeolites improved the barrier properties of the hybrid sol-gel films. ► Ce (III) releases from Ce-zeolite and precipitates on intermetallic inclusions.