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.