High loading capacity and smart release of inhibitors
are the first
and foremost characteristics of nanocontainers, which play a pivotal
role in metal active corrosion protection. The present work explores
the development of novel protective nanocontainers based on recently
emerged covalent organic frameworks (COFs). These highly porous frameworks
with large surface area, outstanding thermomechanical properties,
low density, and ease of functionalization are used as nanocontainers.
On the other hand, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a state-of-the-art
2D layered compound with a sheetlike structure, was utilized thanks
to its excellent barrier properties. However, these lamellar structures
suffer a high agglomeration tendency in polymeric matrices. Therefore,
we developed a novel hybrid nanocontainer, inspired by natural nacre,
by an in situ growth of COF on MoS2 to improve the stability
and provide a high inhibitor loading capacity. The porous and nitrogen-rich
structure of COF made it a good carrier to adsorb europium cations
as inorganic inhibitors and release them on demand by pH changes to
suppress the electrochemical reactions. The as-synthesized nanoplatforms
were used as pH-responsive fillers in the epoxy resin. The nanocomposite
coatings showed almost 50 kΩ cm2 total resistance
and high impedance values (1011 Ω cm2)
even after 77 days of immersion. Moreover, salt spray analysis depicted
the smallest amount of rust and corrosion product after 31 days in
the filled nanocomposite coating. Cathodic delamination and pull-off
outcomes denoted that the filled coatings with the as-synthesized
nanofiller showed the smallest cathodic delamination radius (3.41
mm) and lowest adhesion loss (24%) compared to the neat epoxy (7.55
mm and 46.7%). As such, the highly porous modified MoS2 nanosheets are considered promising alternatives in a wide range
of applications with anticorrosion properties.