“Smart” coatings for active corrosion protection based on multi-functional micro and nanocontainers

Several types of nanoreservoirs of corrosion inhibitors, nanotraps and microcapsules with water displacers have been recently developed, incorporated into coating systems and assessed in terms of active corrosion protection. A multi-level self-healing approach combining several damage prevention and restoration mechanisms within the same system, including the entrapment of corrosive ions, corrosion inhibition and water displacement from active defects, is here reviewed.