Smart polymeric coatings—recent advances

TLDR

Polymer‑coating systems are increasingly enhanced with nanotechnology and modified polymers, adding novel functionalities. The article reviews recent advances in smart polymeric structures for protective coatings, focusing on stimulus–response behavior, sensing mechanisms, and applications. The review highlights smart corrosion‑sensing coatings and self‑healing microcapsule systems for polymer‑coated metals. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.; DOI 10.1002/adv.20083.

Abstract

Abstract There is an ever‐growing number of developments that aim to bring novel functionalities to polymer‐coating systems with nanotechnology being one of them. This article will cover recent advances in the field of smart polymeric structures that are used in protective coatings in terms of stimulus and response, sensing mechanisms, and current or potential applications. Such structures are commonly based on polymers modified through organic or inorganic additives. Emphasis is placed on smart sensors used for detecting the onset of corrosion on polymer coated ferrous and nonferrous substrates. Examples of self‐healing and repair through the action of microcapsules are also presented. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 26:1–13, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/adv.20083