Polyaniline (PANi) has been identified as a conductive coating that is capable of protecting structural steel from corrosion by chloride containing near neutral media such as 3.5 % NaCL Therefore, PANI will be used as the basis of a smart coating. The 3-Dimensional (3D) network is incorporated through the use of a liquid crystal template, constructed by combining a non-ionic surfactant with an aqueous phase to form a 3D liquid crystal. The aniline monomer is contained in the aqueous phase and is electroporymerised round the liquid crystal mesophase. The deposited polymer takes on the structure of the 3D template and once the template is removed using a 50/50 ethanol/water mix a network of channels and pores remains within the polymer. These channels can be used to hold encapsulated healing agents. Microcapsules have been formed from porydopamine (PoDA) an inert material that has been previously used as the basis of a drug delivery system. We have used PoDA to encapsulate aniline monomer for use as a healing agent. Porydopamine is known to degrade at high pHs and here we present the results of studies showing aniline release. SEM images and optical micrographs are presented to demonstrate the development of the 3-D template and polymer whilst the corrosion protection capabilities of the PANi coating are examined through EIS. TEM images show the production of PoDA microcapsules and the encapsulation of aniline monomer.
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