Improved Corrosion Protection of Acrylic Waterborne Coating by Doping with Microencapsulated Corrosion Inhibitors

Herein, a waterborne acrylic coating doped with pH sensitive colophony microcapsules containing corrosion inhibitors was studied on carbon steel plates. The changes in the physical properties of the coatings were studied. The microcapsule coating specimens maintained more noble Ecorr values compared to the control in deionized water and simulated concrete pore solutions with −513 and −531 mVSCE, respectively. Additionally, the microcapsule polarization results for both pH 12.6 and 6.2 electrolyte solutions showed lower icorr values of 1.20 × 10−6 and 3.24 × 10−6 A·cm−2, respectively, compared to the control sample (1.15 × 10−5 and 4.21 × 10−5 A·cm−2). Therefore, the microcapsule coating provided more protection from chloride attack on the substrate as well as the deleterious effects of low pH on carbon steel. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis corroborated the DC polarization results, showing increased corrosion resistance for the microcapsule coated specimens compared to the control. Moreover, the Rpore and Rct are much higher than the control, indicating the protection of the inhibitors. The Ceff,dl also shows lower values for the microcapsule coating than the control, showing a more protective and less doped double layer.


Introduction
The corrosion of steel reinforced concrete has been a source of significant economic loss in the construction and transportation industry [1]. Therefore, the use of physical barriers has been used to deter the corrosion process, such as the use of coatings [2][3][4]. The use of coatings in reinforced concrete structures has been widely studied for its corrosion protection in mortar as well as simulated concrete pore solution (SCPS) [5,6]. The most common coating type for the reinforced concrete application is the use of an epoxy coating, due to its very low porosity, increased hardness, and offered protection against chlorides and other corrosive agents [7]. However, epoxy coatings can present a large cost and long drying periods whereas acrylic coatings can provide a faster drying, cheaper solution.
Due to the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the harmful environmental effects they impart, the use of waterborne coatings has been an attractive area of study in recent years [8]. In waterborne coatings, acrylics are the most often used binder resin [9]. They present a viable alternative to solvent-based coatings which contain volatile organic compound (VOC) that negatively affect the environment [10]. The use of functionalized waterborne acrylic (WA) coatings has been of particular interest. In the works of Ecco et al. and González et al., CeO nanoparticles were incorporated in the WA coatings which improved the corrosion resistance significantly [11,12]. Similarly, the use of a WA coating with phosphate functionalities has been shown to be able to phosphatize the metal surface using a thin coating containing functional nanoparticles [13]. However, WA coatings are not without drawbacks, Dogen-Guner et al. used cellulose nanocrystals to enhance the mechanical properties of WA coatings without the use of added coalescents, which often add VOCs to plasticize the particles to enable film formation [9]. In the work of Ni et al., poly(styrene-acrolein)/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites were synthesized to disperse corrosion inhibiting graphene oxide to improve the corrosion resistance given by the coating [10]. The nanocomposites proved to be effective at enhancing the anticorrosion properties of the coating, however, their fabrication may prove to present difficulties when considering costs and scalability.
In recent years, the use of microcapsules containing active agents has been of particular interest for the applications of self-healing and corrosion resistance. In the work of Zhang et al., self-healing microcapsules were synthesized for implementation to waterborne epoxy coatings [14]. Bao et al. synthesized microcapsules from ZnO and benzotriazole (BTA) in a simple one-step method to increase corrosion protection in waterborne polyacrylate coatings [15]. Smart microcapsules which can release the active agents in response to certain chemical, mechanical, or other triggers have been particularly of interest in recent coating technologies. An anticorrosion coating containing self-repairing polyurea-formaldehyde microcapsules was developed by Njoku et al. to protect aluminum alloy 2024 [16]. The microcapsules respond to changes in pH or chloride ion concentration, dissolving the shell and allowing the diffusion of corrosion inhibitors.
Similarly, microcapsules made by the double emulsion method have been developed by the authors [17]. The microcapsule shell is composed of colophony (>99% abietic acid) containing NaNO 2 corrosion inhibitors. NaNO 2 was used due to its excellent performance in concrete environments, in which it can prevent corrosion caused by chloride and carbonation while having good compatibility with concrete [18,19]. The nitrite ions facilitate the formation of stable Fe 2 O 3 and γ-FeOOH in the passive film, protecting the rebar [20]. It was found that, in alkaline solution, the abietic acid shell deprotonates and the shell becomes porous, allowing for the diffusion of the corrosion inhibitor. Furthermore, previous research of colophony in concrete environments showed increased mechanical properties and a decrease in the porosity of the concrete [21]. In this work, a commercial WA coating was doped with colophony microcapsules (MC) containing NaNO 2 corrosion inhibitors. The MC coating was then characterized by SEM, water absorption, infinite focus microscope (IFM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and compared to the base WA coating. The anticorrosion properties were measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization.

Materials and Methods
Colophony microcapsules were synthesized according to the protocol previously described by the author with modified stirring speeds. First, ground colophony powder was dissolved in diethyl ether. Then, an aqueous solution of 1.5 M NaNO 2 and 1 wt% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was added dropwise while stirring with an overhead stirrer at a rate of 550 rpm for 4 min. An aqueous solution of 4 wt% PVA was added under reduced stirring of 350 rpm to create the water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion [22,23]. Lastly, the remaining organic solvent was evaporated by heating at 60 • C for 2 h. The microcapsules were filtered and washed using deionized (DI) water before direct addition to the coating. Carbon steel panels with composition shown in Table 1 as-received from the Q-lab were coated with WA coating, using a drawdown bar, with and without colophony microcapsules with a wet thickness of 50 µm. The WA coating used was commercially available with composition as shown in Table 2. The coating was left to dry in air for 24 h. The microcapsules were added to the coating before application at a concentration of 50 g/L. Control samples of acrylic coating were prepared for comparison of corrosion performance. The water uptake was determined by gravimetric analysis over a period of 30 days and performed in triplicate. The acrylic coatings with and without MCs were exposed to DI water and the mass change was measured. The specimens were lightly dried by light dabbing before weighing. The size and morphology of the microcapsules were analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM, Hitachi High-Tech America Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) using a Hitachi TM 3030+ SEM and back scattered electron (BSE, Hitachi High-Tech America Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) technique with an excitation signal of 15 kV and 8 µm working distance. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX, Hitachi High-Tech America Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) analysis was also performed on the coating with and without microcapsules to determine the surface atomic composition.
The corrosion performance of the coating was tested using a Gamry series 600 potentiostat (Gamry Instruments, Warminster, PA, USA) with a three-electrode set up: a saturated calomel electrode as reference, a graphite rod as the counter electrode, and carbon steel Qpanels 3 × 6 in with coating as the working electrode. The experiments were conducted in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution in DI water with pH 6.8 and simulated concrete pore solution (SCPS) composed of saturated Ca(OH) 2 with pH 12.6. First, open circuit potential was obtained over 1 h to determine the stable steady-state potential. Then, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed at OCP using 10 mV r.m.s. with 10 points/decade, scanning the frequencies between 10 5 and 10 −2 Hz. Finally, potentiodynamic polarization scans were performed from −0.2 to +0.2 V OCP to determine the Tafel slopes and calculate the corrosion current density (i corr ). All tests were performed in triplicate to ensure reproducibility.

Results
The colophony microcapsules are shown in Figure 1. The larger microcapsules are around 50 µm in diameter, with smaller ones measuring less than 10 µm. The average size of the microcapsules used for the coatings was found to be 42 µm. The microcapsules are spherical in morphology with the appearance of pores on the surface, which appear due to the partial dissolution of colophony in solution, as well as drying of the microcapsules as the solution inside evaporates [22]. Moreover, the microcapsules show agglomeration when drying as the abietic acids attract each other from the oppositely charged ends [24].
The coated steel specimens imaged by SEM are shown in Figure 2, which shows the control WA coating and the MC doped WA coating. In both coatings, cracks are observed with small dimples. These areas can be the cause of corrosion initiation due to the ingress of water and aggressive ion, diffusing to the steel substrate and initiating iron acid hydrolysis [18]. In the MC doped sample, the larger microcapsules can be seen by the bumps on the surface.  The surface of the coated carbon steel sheets was investigated using IFM, shown in Figure 3. The control sample containing no microcapsules shows the roughness of the coating with 30 μm. The MC coating specimens, however, display a larger roughness due to the elevated portions around the microcapsules. The large singular microcapsules and clusters can be observed by the areas in the yellow to orange range (20-30 μm), and between these sections, the same surface roughness as the control can be observed. Overall, the MC coating specimens cause an increase in height difference of almost double.   The surface of the coated carbon steel sheets was investigated using IFM, shown in Figure 3. The control sample containing no microcapsules shows the roughness of the coating with 30 μm. The MC coating specimens, however, display a larger roughness due to the elevated portions around the microcapsules. The large singular microcapsules and clusters can be observed by the areas in the yellow to orange range (20-30 μm), and between these sections, the same surface roughness as the control can be observed. Overall the MC coating specimens cause an increase in height difference of almost double. The surface of the coated carbon steel sheets was investigated using IFM, shown in Figure 3. The control sample containing no microcapsules shows the roughness of the coating with 30 µm. The MC coating specimens, however, display a larger roughness due to the elevated portions around the microcapsules. The large singular microcapsules and clusters can be observed by the areas in the yellow to orange range (20-30 µm), and between these sections, the same surface roughness as the control can be observed. Overall, the MC coating specimens cause an increase in height difference of almost double. Figure 4 shows the water uptake for the control and MC specimen over a 30-day test period. The water uptake tests were performed in triplicate and the error bars represent the standard deviation. The MC specimen showed increased water absorption compared to the control, however it remained under 0.6% throughout the test duration. The MC specimen contained colophony has hydroxyl groups, thus making water permeation into the coating easier [24]. Additionally, the increased roughness of the coating surface for the MC specimens may have led to increased entrapment of water, thus increasing the measured water absorption. The higher water absorption shown by the MC samples benefits the coating as the water allows the inhibitors to diffuse from the MCs. The inhibitors, when in contact with the steel substrate can then form a passive oxide layer to protect the steel from iron acid hydrolysis [18].   Figure 4 shows the water uptake for the control and MC specime period. The water uptake tests were performed in triplicate and the the standard deviation. The MC specimen showed increased water ab to the control, however it remained under 0.6% throughout the tes specimen contained colophony has hydroxyl groups, thus making wa the coating easier [24]. Additionally, the increased roughness of the co MC specimens may have led to increased entrapment of water, thus i ured water absorption. The higher water absorption shown by the M the coating as the water allows the inhibitors to diffuse from the M when in contact with the steel substrate can then form a passive oxide steel from iron acid hydrolysis [18].   Figure 4 shows the water uptake for the control and MC specimen over a 30period. The water uptake tests were performed in triplicate and the error bars re the standard deviation. The MC specimen showed increased water absorption co to the control, however it remained under 0.6% throughout the test duration. T specimen contained colophony has hydroxyl groups, thus making water permeat the coating easier [24]. Additionally, the increased roughness of the coating surfac MC specimens may have led to increased entrapment of water, thus increasing th ured water absorption. The higher water absorption shown by the MC samples the coating as the water allows the inhibitors to diffuse from the MCs. The in when in contact with the steel substrate can then form a passive oxide layer to pro steel from iron acid hydrolysis [18].  The thermal stability of the coating and the MC doped coating were examined using TGA analysis. Figure 5 shows the weight loss curves for both specimens. The test was performed in duplicate to ensure reproducibility. The control specimen maintains stability, showing very little weight loss, for temperatures up to around 300 • C. After this point, the coating degrades up to 700 • C, showing nearly 60% weight loss. The MC coating shows an earlier decomposition, beginning below 200 • C. Additionally, the MC coating shows a higher weight loss due to water evaporation, because of the increased amount of water from the MC addition. Both samples exhibit the major mass loss event around 300 • C due to the coating decomposition, however the MC coating shows a steeper decline. This initial mass loss is due to the evaporation of moisture from the microcapsules as well as degradation of the microcapsules, shown in a previous study [17]. Additionally, the MC specimen shows a slightly greater mass loss overall, however it is comparable to the control at 700 • C. This shows that the MC coating exhibits less thermal stability compared to the control due to the nature of the microcapsules present in the coating. The thermal stability of the coating and the MC doped coating were examined usin TGA analysis. Figure 5 shows the weight loss curves for both specimens. The test wa performed in duplicate to ensure reproducibility. The control specimen maintains stabil ity, showing very little weight loss, for temperatures up to around 300 °C. After this poin the coating degrades up to 700 °C, showing nearly 60% weight loss. The MC coating show an earlier decomposition, beginning below 200 °C. Additionally, the MC coating shows higher weight loss due to water evaporation, because of the increased amount of wate from the MC addition. Both samples exhibit the major mass loss event around 300 °C du to the coating decomposition, however the MC coating shows a steeper decline. This ini tial mass loss is due to the evaporation of moisture from the microcapsules as well a degradation of the microcapsules, shown in a previous study [17]. Additionally, the MC specimen shows a slightly greater mass loss overall, however it is comparable to the con trol at 700 °C. This shows that the MC coating exhibits less thermal stability compared t the control due to the nature of the microcapsules present in the coating. The increased corrosion protection of the MC coating was tested, and the polarizatio curves obtained are shown in Figure 6. In both DI and SCPS solution with 3.5 wt% NaC the MC coating showed more noble corrosion potential (Ecorr) values with −532 and −51 mVSCE, respectively. Additionally, the corrosion current density (icorr) values were calcu lated by Tafel analysis and are shown in Table 3. For the DI condition, the MC coatin measured an icorr of 1.20 × 10 −6 A/cm 2 , nearly one order of magnitude lower than the contro sample, thus much lower corrosion. The blank sample with no coating showed the mos active icorr with a similar Ecorr to the control coating. Moreover, the anodic Tafel slope, β showed a decrease from the control, thus the kinetics of the anodic reaction of elementa Fe oxidizing to Fe 2+ had decreased. The cathodic slope, βc, however showed an increas when the microcapsules were present, this is likely due to the reaction of the colophon with oxygen, as the oxidation of colophony has been previously studied in air and i aqueous solutions [25]. Therefore, the kinetics of the cathodic reaction, oxygen reduction increased. The same trend for icorr and the Tafel slopes can be seen in the SCPS solution Overall, the corrosion parameters decreased due to the alkalinity of the solution, pH 12.6 and the carbon steel spontaneously forms a passive film of lepidocrocite and magnetite γ-FeOOH and Fe3O4, respectively [18]. Due to this, the MC coating shows the lowest ico and the most noble Ecorr with 1.20 × 10 −6 A/cm 2 and −513 mVSCE, respectively. Both Ecorr an icorr values obtained for the MC coating show improved corrosion performance compare The increased corrosion protection of the MC coating was tested, and the polarization curves obtained are shown in Figure 6. In both DI and SCPS solution with 3.5 wt% NaCl, the MC coating showed more noble corrosion potential (E corr ) values with −532 and −513 mV SCE , respectively. Additionally, the corrosion current density (i corr ) values were calculated by Tafel analysis and are shown in Table 3. For the DI condition, the MC coating measured an i corr of 1.20 × 10 −6 A/cm 2 , nearly one order of magnitude lower than the control sample, thus much lower corrosion. The blank sample with no coating showed the most active i corr with a similar E corr to the control coating. Moreover, the anodic Tafel slope, β a , showed a decrease from the control, thus the kinetics of the anodic reaction of elemental Fe oxidizing to Fe 2+ had decreased. The cathodic slope, β c , however showed an increase when the microcapsules were present, this is likely due to the reaction of the colophony with oxygen, as the oxidation of colophony has been previously studied in air and in aqueous solutions [25]. Therefore, the kinetics of the cathodic reaction, oxygen reduction, increased. The same trend for i corr and the Tafel slopes can be seen in the SCPS solution. Overall, the corrosion parameters decreased due to the alkalinity of the solution, pH 12.6, and the carbon steel spontaneously forms a passive film of lepidocrocite and magnetite, γ-FeOOH and Fe 3 O 4 , respectively [18]. Due to this, the MC coating shows the lowest i corr and the most noble E corr with 1.20 × 10 −6 A/cm 2 and −513 mV SCE , respectively. Both E corr and i corr values obtained for the MC coating show improved corrosion performance compared to the modified acrylic coating of Gao et al., whose polarization results demonstrated E corr values below -500 mV SCE and i corr values around 1 × 10 −4 A/cm 2 [26].
to the modified acrylic coating of Gao et al., whose polarization results demonstrated Ecorr values below -500 mVSCE and icorr values around 1 × 10 −4 A/cm 2 [26]. Figure 6. Potentiodynamic polarization curves for mild steel with acrylic coating modified with colophony microcapsules exposed to 3.5 wt% NaCl in (a) DI water (pH = 6.8) and (b) SCPS (pH = 12.6). Table 3. Electrochemical parameters calculated by Tafel fitting from potentiodynamic polarization for acrylic coating containing microcapsules exposed to 3.5 wt% NaCl contaminated environment in DI water (pH 6.8) and SCPS (pH 12.6). The standard deviation is presented in the parenthesis. In addition to polarization scans, EIS was conducted to determine the resistances and capacitances of the interfaces in the system. Figure 7 shows the Nyquist plots for the control and MC doped specimens in DI and SCPS contaminated with 3.5 wt% NaCl as well as a bare steel sample labeled as blank. Figure 6. Potentiodynamic polarization curves for mild steel with acrylic coating modified with colophony microcapsules exposed to 3.5 wt% NaCl in (a) DI water (pH = 6.8) and (b) SCPS (pH = 12.6). Table 3. Electrochemical parameters calculated by Tafel fitting from potentiodynamic polarization for acrylic coating containing microcapsules exposed to 3.5 wt% NaCl contaminated environment in DI water (pH 6.8) and SCPS (pH 12.6). The standard deviation is presented in the parenthesis. In addition to polarization scans, EIS was conducted to determine the resistances and capacitances of the interfaces in the system. Figure 7 shows the Nyquist plots for the control and MC doped specimens in DI and SCPS contaminated with 3.5 wt% NaCl as well as a bare steel sample labeled as blank.
It can be seen in both solutions that the MC specimens provide increased impedance values compared to the control. Overall, the measurements in DI show decreased impedance compared to SCPS, this is due to the lower pH hindering the formation of the passive oxide film [27,28]. The depressed semicircles for the DI show the MC specimen reaching over 2 kΩ·cm 2 while the control shows only 1 kΩ·cm 2 . The SCPS specimens, however showed increases in impedance with nearly 2.75 and 1.5 kΩ·cm 2 for the MC and control specimen, respectively. The EIS data was fit to an electrical equivalent circuit (EEC) shown in Figure 8, with R s for the solution resistance and two time constants, including two relaxation processes, a R pore -CPE pore to represent the pores in the coating, and R ct -CPE dl to represent the corrosion process. Figure 7. Nyquist plots obtained from EIS for mild steel with acrylic coating modified with colophony micro exposed to 3.5 wt% NaCl in (a) DI water (pH = 6.8), and (b) SCPS (pH = 12.6).
It can be seen in both solutions that the MC specimens provide increase values compared to the control. Overall, the measurements in DI show decre ance compared to SCPS, this is due to the lower pH hindering the formation o oxide film [27,28]. The depressed semicircles for the DI show the MC specim over 2 kΩ·cm 2 while the control shows only 1 kΩ·cm 2 . The SCPS specime showed increases in impedance with nearly 2.75 and 1.5 kΩ·cm 2 for the MC specimen, respectively. The EIS data was fit to an electrical equivalent circuit in Figure 8, with Rs for the solution resistance and two time constants, inclu laxation processes, a Rpore-CPEpore to represent the pores in the coating, and represent the corrosion process. The EEC fitting parameters are shown in Table 4. The solution resista measured to be about 17 Ω·cm 2 for the SCPS solution and 19-24 Ω·cm 2 for the The increased resistance for the DI solution is due to the lower concentration contains a higher concentration of Ca 2+ and OH − ions, making the solution m Figure 7. Nyquist plots obtained from EIS for mild steel with acrylic coating modified with colophony microcapsules exposed to 3.5 wt% NaCl in (a) DI water (pH = 6.8), and (b) SCPS (pH = 12.6). Figure 7. Nyquist plots obtained from EIS for mild steel with acrylic coating modified with colophony microcaps exposed to 3.5 wt% NaCl in (a) DI water (pH = 6.8), and (b) SCPS (pH = 12.6).
It can be seen in both solutions that the MC specimens provide increased im values compared to the control. Overall, the measurements in DI show decreased ance compared to SCPS, this is due to the lower pH hindering the formation of the oxide film [27,28]. The depressed semicircles for the DI show the MC specimen over 2 kΩ·cm 2 while the control shows only 1 kΩ·cm 2 . The SCPS specimens, h showed increases in impedance with nearly 2.75 and 1.5 kΩ·cm 2 for the MC and specimen, respectively. The EIS data was fit to an electrical equivalent circuit (EEC in Figure 8, with Rs for the solution resistance and two time constants, including laxation processes, a Rpore-CPEpore to represent the pores in the coating, and Rctrepresent the corrosion process. The EEC fitting parameters are shown in Table 4. The solution resistance, measured to be about 17 Ω·cm 2 for the SCPS solution and 19-24 Ω·cm 2 for the DI The increased resistance for the DI solution is due to the lower concentration of io contains a higher concentration of Ca 2+ and OH − ions, making the solution more tive and Rs lower. The improved corrosion resistance provided by the MC coatin seen in both the pore resistance, Rpore, and the charge transfer resistance, Rct, in bo tions. The DI control coating shows a Rpore value of 286 Ω·cm 2 while the MC The EEC fitting parameters are shown in Table 4. The solution resistance, R s , was measured to be about 17 Ω·cm 2 for the SCPS solution and 19-24 Ω·cm 2 for the DI solution. The increased resistance for the DI solution is due to the lower concentration of ions. SCPS contains a higher concentration of Ca 2+ and OH − ions, making the solution more conductive and R s lower. The improved corrosion resistance provided by the MC coating can be seen in both the pore resistance, R pore , and the charge transfer resistance, R ct , in both solutions. The DI control coating shows a R pore value of 286 Ω·cm 2 while the MC coating measures over twice the value with 609 Ω·cm 2 , due to the existence of the corrosion inhibitors and the colophony microcapsules. The lowest performance is shown by the blank sample, corroborated by the DC results in the polarization curve. As shown by the polarization results, the cathodic corrosion inhibition shown by the increased cathodic Tafel slope in the presence of microcapsules slows the oxygen reduction kinetics, therefore, despite displaying a higher water absorption, the microcapsules improve the coating through the effects of the inhibitor compounds. The SCPS solution displays the same trend with 195 and 280 Ω·cm 2 for the control and MC specimen, respectively. Furthermore, the R ct values confirm the protection by the microcapsules. Both the SPCS and DI conditions show the MC specimens offering nearly twice the resistance and relatively close in value with 2.31 × 10 3 and 2.19 × 10 3 Ω·cm 2 , respectively. Constant phase elements, CPE, are used in the EEC due to the nonideal capacitance shown by the interfaces. The capacitance given by the coating, CPE coat , shows similar values for both the control and MC coating specimens, this is due to the similar coating thicknesses and protection offered by the film. The Y dl values were used to calculate the effective capacitance for the double layer (C eff,dl ) according to Brug et al., see Equation (1) [29].
where Y dl is the admittance for the double layer and n dl is the fractional power of the frequency for the double layer. In [26,30]. Figure 9 shows an MC coating specimen with a large microcapsule at the center. The bump created by the microcapsule can be seen with small pores around its shell through the coating. These pores allow the NaNO 2 inhibitors to release, thus protecting the rebar which has become exposed due to the cracks that can be seen in Figure 2. This further explains the improved corrosion resistance seen in the MC coating specimens compared to the control sample coating. Due to the presence of these pores along with the increased corrosion protection from the MC specimens, the increased water absorption exhibited by the MC doped coating does not hinder the anticorrosion properties imparted by the microcapsules and corrosion inhibitors and the overall corrosion resistance is improved.

Conclusions
A waterborne acrylic coating doped with pH sensitive colophony microcapsules co taining corrosion inhibitors was studied on carbon steel plates. The changes in the phys cal properties of the coatings were studied. Additionally, the coating was tested und accelerated corrosion conditions in DI and simulated concrete pore solutions contam nated with chloride. The following conclusions can be drawn.  Table 4. EIS fitting values obtained for acrylic coated control steel panels and MC modified acrylic coated panels exposed to 3.5 wt% NaCl contaminated environment in DI water (pH 6.8) and SCPS (pH 12.6) using the equivalent circuit presented in Figure 8. The standard deviation is presented in the parenthesis.

Conclusions
A waterborne acrylic coating doped with pH sensitive colophony microcapsules containing corrosion inhibitors was studied on carbon steel plates. The changes in the physical properties of the coatings were studied. Additionally, the coating was tested under accelerated corrosion conditions in DI and simulated concrete pore solutions contaminated with chloride. The following conclusions can be drawn.

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The addition of microcapsules to the coating increased the coating roughness, however the appearance of cracks did not change significantly. In a thin coating of 50 µm thickness, the larger microcapsules can be seen on the coating surface.

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The water absorption of the MC doped coating showed increased values compared to the control coating of nearly double. This is accounted for by the increased number of pores present in the coating after exposure to test media, due to the colophony microcapsule release mechanism.

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The thermal stability of the coating did not change significantly, however the degradation of the microcapsules occurs near 200 • C, before the coating begins to degrade around 300 • C.

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The MC coating specimens maintained more noble E corr values compared to the control in DI and SCPS solutions with −532 and −513 mV SCE , respectively. Additionally, the MC polarization results showed lower i corr values by nearly one order of magnitude for both conditions. Therefore, the MC coating provided more protection from chloride attack on the substrate as well as the deleterious effects of low pH on carbon steel.

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The EIS analysis corroborated the DC polarization results, showing increased corrosion resistance for the MC coated specimens compared to the control. Moreover, the R pore and R ct are much higher than the control, indicating the protection of the inhibitors. The C eff,dl also shows lower values for the MC coating than the control, showing a more protective and less doped double layer. Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement:
The raw/processed data required to reproduce these findings cannot be shared at this time as the data also forms part of an ongoing study.