Corrosion, the electrochemical degradation of metals, remains a critical global challenge with annual economic losses estimated at 3.4-5% of GDP in industrialized nations . This comprehensive review synthesizes recent advances in corrosion science, spanning fundamental electrochemical mechanisms to innovative protective technologies. The electrochemical framework—governing corrosion thermodynamics and kinetics—is examined through the lens of recent discoveries, including the role of passive film breakdown in localized attack and the emergence of microbiologically influenced corrosion as a pervasive threat across industries . Advanced characterization techniques, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, have provided unprecedented insights into nanoscale corrosion initiation and propagation . The review systematically evaluates three transformative protection paradigms: smart self-healing coatings achieving market projections of USD 10.4 billion by 2028 through autonomous damage repair ; MOF-oligomer nanocomposites that synergistically integrate pH-triggered inhibitor release with redox-mediated passivation, demonstrating inhibition efficiencies of 75.62% and self-healing improvement of 229.67% ; and AI-driven monitoring frameworks achieving R² > 0.99 prediction accuracy for dynamic corrosion rate forecasting . Particular attention is devoted to sustainable solutions, including green inhibitors derived from renewable sources, nanotechnology-based multifunctional coatings, and integrated digital twin systems that bridge physics-based simulation with real-time IoT sensing . The review concludes that next-generation corrosion management requires convergent approaches combining mechanistic understanding, advanced materials, data-driven analytics, and environmental sustainability.