Performance enhancement of the anti-corrosion coating based on Ce³⁺-polyaniline–montmorillonite composite/epoxy-ester system

Herein we report on the Ce 3+ -5-sulfosalicylic acid dihydrate-doped polyaniline/montmorillonite (Ce 3+ -PANI/MMT) composite prepared via in situ intercalation polymerization and the cation-exchange method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by the scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The release of Ce 3+ ions was detected by the immersion test and the solution analysis method. The anti-corrosion performance of the coatings was evaluated by the corrosion test, open-circuit potential analysis, the potentiodynamic polarization curve, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 3.5 wt% NaCl aqueous solution. The results showed that the Ce 3+ -PANI/MMT composite had better anti-corrosion effects along the coating defects.