PHENOL ELECTROPOLYMERIZATION - A STRAIGHT ROUTE FROM MONOMERS TO POLYMER-COATINGS

Recent results on phenol electropolymerization aimed at the simultaneo us production and deposition of protective coatings are described. Dis cussion is especially focused on the electrochemical growth mechanism of the non-conducting polymer films (previously unpublished chronoampe rometric and chronopotentiometric results are provided and compared wi th a simple model), incorporation of corrosion inhibitors, the selecte d inhibitor being 2-benzothiazolylthiosuccinic acid, coating of phosph ated mild steel and phosphated galvanized steel via the cathodic depos ition of minor Zn amounts in the phosphate layer pores and protective performance of the coated samples, studied by a.c. impedance. It is sh own that significant advances have been achieved since 1987, when a co mprehensive review was published, in both the fundamental understandin g of the process and the protective capabilities of the coatings.