This thesis describes technical and scientific aspects of new types of composite films/coatings for corrosion protection of carbon steel, composite films with nanometer thickness consisting of mussel adhesive protein (Mefp‐1) and ceria nanoparticles, and polymeric composite coatings with micrometre thickness consisting of conducting polymer and ceria nanoparticles in a UV‐curing polyester acrylate (PEA) resin. The influence of microstructure on corrosion behaviour was studied for a Fe‐Cr‐V‐N alloy containing micro‐sized nitrides with different chemical composition spread in martensitic alloy matrix. The Volta potential mapping suggested higher relative nobility for the nitride particles than the alloy matrix, and the nitrides with higher amounts of nitrogen and vanadium exhibited higher nobility. Potentiodynamic polarization measurements in a 0.1 M NaCl solution at neutral pH and ambient temperature showed passivity breakdown with initiation of localized corrosion which started in the boundary region surrounding the nitride particles, especially the ones enriched in Cr and Mo. Mefp‐1/ceria nanocomposite films were formed on silica and metal substrates by layer‐by‐layer immersion deposition. The film formation process was studied in situ using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM‐D). The film grows linearly with increasing number of immersions. Increasing Mefp‐1 concentration or using Mefp‐1 with larger size leads to more Mefp‐1 being deposited. Peak Force Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping (Peak Force QNM) of the composite films in air indicated that the elastic modulus of the film increased when the film deposited had a higher Mefp‐1 concentration. It was also noted that the nature of the outermost layer can affect bulk morphology and surface mechanical properties of the film. The QCM‐D study of Mefp‐1 on an iron substrate showed that Mefp‐1 adsorbs at a high rate and changes its conformation with increasing adsorption time. The QCM‐D and in situ Peak Force QNM measurements showed that the addition of Fe3+ ions causes a transition in the single Mefp‐1 layer from an extended and soft layer to a denser and stiffer layer. In situ ATR‐FTIR and Confocal Raman Microscopy (CRM) analyses revealed complex formation between Fe3+ and catechol groups in Mefp‐1. Moreover, optical microscopy, SEM and AFM characterization of the Mefp‐1/ceria composite film formed on carbon steel showed micron‐size aggregates rich in Mefp‐1 and ceria, and a nanostructure of well dispersed ceria particles in the film. The CRM analysis confirmed the presence of Mefp‐1/Fe complexes in the film. Electrochemical impedance microscopy and potentiodynamic polarization measurements showed that the Mefp‐1/ceria composite film can provide corrosion protection for carbon steel, and that the protection efficiency increases with exposure time. Composite coatings of 10 μm thickness composed of a UV‐curing PEA resin and a small amount of conductive polymer and ceria nanoparticles were coated on carbon steel. The conductive polymer (PAni) was synthesized with phosphoric acid (PA) as the dopant by chemical oxidative polymerization. The ATR‐FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed that the added particles were well dispersed in the coatings. Electrochemical measurements during long exposure in 0.1 M NaCl solution, including open circuit potential (OCP) and EIS, were performed to investigate the protective performance of the coatings. The results showed that adding ceria nanoparticles can improve the barrier properties of the coating, and adding PAni‐PA can lead to active protection of the coating. Adding PAni‐PA and ceria nanoparticles simultaneously in the coating can improve the protection and stability of the composite coating, providing excellent corrosion protection for carbon steel. / <p>QC 20131024</p>