Self-healing Protective Coatings: A Review on the Principles, Chemistry, Recent Advances and Applications Outlook

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Surface Coating and Corrosion, Institute for Color Science and Technology, P.O. Box: 16765-654, Tehran‎‏, Iran‏.‏

Abstract

The long-term functions (providing appearance and barrier protection for the underlying substrate) of polymeric protective coatings can be jeopardized by environmental damages (including corrosion and mechanical damage). Thus, self-healing coatings have emerged and developed to restore such functions in case of coating damage. Thus, a coating which can automatically repair itself (“self-healing coating”) can be favorable with self-recovery of properties (i.g. mechanical, electrochemical, etc.) and accordingly extend the durability of the coating. This review discusses both extrinsic (including capsules, hollow-fibers, corrosion inhibitor loaded reservoirs) and intrinsic (reversible physical bonds such as Diels-Alder bonds, ionomers, and supr-amolecular polymers) approaches. Additionally, the most recent advances in the field of self-healing coatings and their associated challenges were also investigated, and the future trends were also covered. Such novel smart coatings were discussed from various perspectives, including advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional coatings, triggering mechanisms, environmental aspects, and their potential practical applications in different sectors like electronics, aircraft, automobiles, construction, and more. 

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Progress in Color, Colorants and Coatings
Volume 19, Issue 1 - Serial Number 60
September 2025
Pages 97-112

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