A self-healing epoxy coating realized by 2-chloromethylbenzimidazole loading MIL-88

Using nanocontainers filled with corrosion inhibitors is an efficient strategy to create a high-performance coating that protects metals from corrosion. In this paper, Metal organic framework (MIL-88) was synthesized and loaded with a sustainable and eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor, 2-chloromethylbenzimidazole (2-CBI). The 2-CBI@MIL-88 was used as a nanofiller to prepare an epoxy resin composite coating. The results showed that the corrosion inhibitors in 2-CBI@MIL-88 were released sustainably in an acidic 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. Notably, the |Z|0.01 Hz of the intact EP + 1% 2-CBI@MIL-88 was significantly higher than that of EP, while the |Z|0.01 Hz of scratched EP + 1% 2-CBI@MIL-88 increases upon immersion in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, demonstrating the excellent self-healing ability. Overall, incorporating 2-CBI@MIL-88 into epoxy coatings offers a promising approach for enhancing the corrosion resistance of steel structures.