Autonomous self-healing in epoxy coatings provided by high efficiency isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) microcapsules for protection of carbon steel

This work aims at investigating the self-healing ability of epoxy coatings, modified with microcapsules containing highly reactive isocyanate in their core. Highly efficient, thermally and chemically stable isophorone diisocyanate microcapsules were prepared via emulsification followed by interfacial polymerization at the surface of oil droplets of the oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. The microcapsules were incorporated into an epoxy coating to protect carbon steel from corrosion. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to assess the microcapsules and coating morphology. The physico-chemical characterization of the microcapsules was studied by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to evaluate the protective performance of coated steel samples and results confirmed that the barrier properties of modified coatings increased over time. The self-healing ability was studied via Localized Impedance Spectroscopy (LEIS), Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET) and Scanning Ion-Selective Electrode Techniques (SIET) on coated steel samples containing artificial defects. This comprehensive study confirmed the ability of the capsules to heal damaged areas in the coating and to mitigate corrosion thanks to the formation of a protective polymeric barrier layer.