Factors influencing the performance of inherently conducting polymers as corrosion inhibitors: The dopant

The dopant (A(-)) that is intimately associated with inherently conducting polymers (ICPs) such as polypyrroles and polyanilines plays a critical role in determining the performance of these materials as corrosion protection coatings. The dopant determines the processability of the ICP in that it can influence solution solubility and/or the potential at which the polymer is electrodeposited. The dopant also influences the redox and chemical properties of the resultant coating and so affecting its ability to provide corrosion protection. (C) 2003 American Chemical Society.