Concept of Self-Healing Coatings

Carbon allotropes, due to their unique sp²/sp³ hybrid structure, physical–chemical properties, and UV absorption, have been of particular interest in the surface coatings industry. Owing to their ability to adsorb a variety of organic and inorganic corrosion inhibitors, their capability of being grafted by conductive polymers, or their physical entrapment of corrosion inhibitors, they have a key function in the synthesis of surface coatings with an on-demand corrosion inhibition effect. In addition, some of the carbon allotropes can physically entrap film-forming agents, providing the self-repairing feature for the coating. Carbon allotropes with a self-healing effect have been used in a variety of coatings. This chapter aims to review the carbon allotropes capable of providing an on-demand corrosion inhibition effect or self-repairing feature for the coatings. To this end, carbon nanotubes, graphene-based materials, fullerene, and carbon hollow spheres have been reviewed.