Self-healing ion-permselective conducting polymer coating

The present work demonstrates a new approach to self-healing polymers that have the ability to repair artificial defects and restore the passive state of an underlying metal substrate. An intrinsically conducting polymer (ICP) with a well designed function of doped ions possesses specific permselective properties, restricting incorporation of aggressive chlorides from corrosive electrolyte. The cation permselective membrane controls the release of healing ions to the defect zone when artificial defects are formed, efficiently inhibiting corrosion of the underlying metal substrate.