Chitosan as a Smart Coating for Controlled Release of Corrosion Inhibitor 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole

An active protective coating based on chitosan (CTS) polymer with corrosion inhibitor 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) is reported. Structural and morphological analysis indicated that MBT is present in large amounts within the CTS matrix without affecting detrimentally the properties of CTS. More relevant, the release of MBT is dependent upon pH, resulting from the contribution of two factors: the chemistry of CTS (low pH) and the solubility of MBT (high pH). The performance of CTS-MBT was assessed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and found to be promising as a temporary coating for active corrosion protection. (C) 2013 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.002306eel] All rights reserved.