Rational design of metallic anti-corrosion coatings based on zinc gluconate@ZIF-8

[Display omitted] •Synthesis of ZnG@ZIF-8 composite using the ZnG as a single metal source.•The ZnG@ZIF-8 composite enhanced sustainability of the inhibitors.•The ZnG@ZIF-8/EP coatings displayed excellent corrosion resistance. The unique porous characteristic of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been attracting significant attention for gas storage, catalysis and drug delivery. However, the studies regarding loading inhibitors into MOFs for metallic anti-corrosion applications are scarcely reported. Herein, a strategy based on encapsulating corrosion inhibitors into MOFs matrix has been developed, and their corrosion process and mechanism have been fully studied. Specifically, an environmentally friendly green corrosion inhibitor, zinc gluconate (ZnG), was selected as a metal resource for the preparation of ZIF-8 and then inherently intercalated into the porous ZIF-8. Various characterizations were carried out to confirm that zinc gluconate was successfully loaded into the ZIF-8 matrix. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization curves show the evidence that the prepared ZnG@ZIF-8/EP coatings display good metallic anti-corrosion performances. The probably protecting mechanism of ZnG@ZIF/EP coatings for magnesium alloy surface was thoroughly discussed.