Coatings with green corrosion-responsive conjugates

Abstract Hindering corrosion of metals is arguably one of the most important mission in the field of sustainable chemistry. Indeed, it induces savings of resources and energy, as well as a reduction of environmental pollution with toxic compounds resulting from corrosion products or chemicals currently used as corrosion inhibitors. Herein, we prepare an environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor for long-term corrosion protection by conjugating nicotinic acid and linalool, two natural plant products. Solvent-based epoxy coatings containing the inhibitor conjugate show anticorrosion performance as demonstrated by potentiodynamic polarization measurements in saline and acidic conditions. The success of this strategy relies on the fact that the conjugate is more hydrophobic than nicotinic acid and linalool, so that leaching of the inhibitor in aqueous media is prevented.