In order to overcome the difficulties associated to the solubility and mechanical integrity of polyaniline (PAni) films, in this work we develop a binder by mixing PAni in the oxidized and undoped state (emeraldine base form) with 4-chloro-3-methylphenol, a plasticizer, and solvent. This binder has been used as a coating alone or combined with a conventional nitrocellulose paint to formulate the called Smart Paint. The characterization of binder films, which are cohesive and self-standing, shows the preservation of PAni properties, indicating that they satisfy the typical characteristics of anticorrosive coatings. Electrochemical assays have been carried out in H2SO4 solution using AISI 1006 steel plates coated with the binder and the Smart Paint. Results indicate that the binder and the Smart Paint promote the passivation of the metal substrate, reflecting their protecting abilities against corrosion. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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