the inhibitor from the matrix so unwanted reactions do not take place; and (ii) allow for the controlled release of the inhibitor (controlled kinetics or on-demand release). Many materials, shapes, sizes, and triggers have been developed using this basic principle ranging from microcapsules and nanocapsules relying on delamination to initiate the redox triggered release, to loaded nanosized porous zeolites and halloysite nanotubes where release relies on leaching and ion exchange. [1] Despite the clear success of the concept, two intrinsic limitations can be identified: (i) loading in nanoparticles is limited and bound to carrier-inhibitor pairs; and (ii) inhibitor release at a damage site greatly depends on particle size, release trigger, loading, and distribution. [2] As a consequence the long-term protection and protection at relatively big damages is compromised. [2b] Here we propose an alternative strategy based on the formation of low-density and/or humidity responsive interconnected paths of inhibitor inside the coating (i.e., inhibiting nanonetworks) as a way to overcome the above limitations. Such a strategy is based on recent findings by Hughes et al. [3] who recently attributed high inhibition of Cr(VI)-based coatings to the formation of inhibitor interconnected clusters and low density regions in the coating, thereby confirming previous modelling works. [2] In order to experimentally proof the validity of the concept we used the well-established process of electrospinning as the method to manufacture the responsive nanofiber mats containing corrosion inhibitors to form the inhibiting nano networks in the coatings. During the relatively simple process of electrospinning a membrane or fiber mat of polymeric fibers can be produced by applying an electric field between a spinneret, usually a needle of a syringe filled with polymer solution, and a grounded conductive collector. [4] By controlling the process parameters, spinning setup complexity, and the polymer solution physical properties, a large amount of geometries can be designed making it a suitable process for the design of membranes, drug delivery systems, and carriers of liquid self-healing agents for composites among others. [5] Cu-rich aluminum alloy AA2024-T3 is here used as the substrate to prove the corrosion inhibiting potential of the concept. This highly used aerospace grade aluminum alloy is known for its high corrosion
In this work, a new concept is introduced for active corrosion protection at damaged sites aiming at overcoming existing limitations of currently proposed strategies based on dispersed inhibitor-loaded nanocontainers in coatings. The underlying principle is based on the formation of lowdensity and/or humidity responsive interconnected paths of inhibitor in the coating, what is called inhibiting nanonetworks. Such an approach allows for (on-demand) long-term local supply of corrosion inhibitor at the damage site.For the proof-of-concept, water responsive inhibiting nanonetworks based on polyvinyl alcohol and two known...