Coordination-Controlled Self-Healing Epoxy Nanocomposites: Synergistic Inhibition Mechanisms and Long-Term Impedance Behavior in Simulated Marine Environments

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Chemical Engineering, Calgary University, Canada

Abstract
The development of self-healing epoxy nanocomposites with long-term corrosion protection in marine environments represents a critical challenge in materials science, requiring sophisticated integration of passive barrier properties and active inhibition mechanisms . This comprehensive review systematically examines coordination-controlled self-healing epoxy nanocomposites, focusing on the synergistic inhibition mechanisms and long-term electrochemical impedance behavior in simulated marine environments. The coordination chemistry framework provides a unifying theoretical foundation: corrosion inhibitors function as multidentate ligands, nanocontainers serve as coordination carriers, and self-healing processes operate through in-situ coordination film formation . Advanced nanofiller systems incorporating pH-responsive nanocontainers—including metal-organic frameworks (MIL-100(Fe), ZIF-8), graphene oxide-based composites, and layered double hydroxides—have demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving low-frequency impedance modulus values of 5.03 × 10⁹ Ω·cm² after 50 days of immersion . The MIL-100@BTA system demonstrates alkaline-triggered release with up to 85% inhibitor release within 9 hours at pH 10, enabling targeted corrosion suppression at damaged sites . Tri-functional coating systems integrating passive barrier enhancement (109 Ω·cm² impedance after 120 days), active ion capture, and autonomous defect repair have been achieved through cascade synergistic mechanisms . This review concludes that coordination-controlled design principles offer transformative potential for durable, intelligent protective coatings with extended service life.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 July 2026