The present work demonstrates that the addition of Ce-enriched zeolite microparticles to hybrid sol-gel formulation confers protection to the coating. After two weeks of immersion the integrity of sol-gel film remains unchanged. These properties are due to the fact that the Ce(III) loaded zeolite microparticles are released in response to the adsorption of ionic species involved in the corrosion process of AA2024-T3 substrate. Zeolite adsorption of Cu2+ cations from intermetallic dissolution and Cl- anions from the solution is shown to take place, enhancing the protective properties of the coating. The microparticles and coatings characterization were carried out by SEM/EDS and the protection properties of the modified coatings were assessed using EIS and localised electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (LEIS) measurements. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.