Influence of electrosynthesis conditions and Al2O3 nanoparticles on corrosion protection effect of polypyrrole films

Purpose - The purpose of this paper was to investigate the anti-corrosion behavior of polypyrrole (PPy) films in different states and presence of alumina nanoparticles synthesized by galvanostatic electropolymerization on stainless steel (SS) electrodes in an artificial seawater solution using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Design/methodology/approach - The electrochemical measurements were used to examine the effects of PPy and its nanocomposite on the corrosion behavior of SS type 316L in artificial seawater. A standard electrochemical cell with three electrodes was used for the measurements. The electrochemical response of the coated electrodes in the doped and the undoped state was compared with that of a bare electrode. Corrosion rate information was obtained by the Tafel extrapolation method, where the intersection point of a cathodic and an anodic polarization curve provides both the corrosion potential and the corrosion current. EIS measurements confirmed the potentiodynamic and open circuit potential (OCP) results. The microstructure of the obtained films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Findings - The results showed that the coated polymer films shifted the electrode potential toward more positive potentials, but this shift did not lead to passivation. However, a notable synergy was observed between PPy undoped film, oxygen reduction and iron dissolution. The potential of the SS remained in the active dissolution region, and it was not possible to produce a passive oxide layer in this region. PPy separates the metal dissolution process from the oxygen reduction process. This would prevent the local pH increase at the metal surface and subsequent delamination. The polarization curves, EOCP and impedance measurements showed that PPy undoped/Al2O3 layers show promise as good candidates for the corrosion protection of reactive metals. Originality/value - This paper presents that electrodes coated with undoped PPy synthesized in the presence of dodecyl sulfate anions and Al2O3 nanoparticles offered a noticeable enhancement of protection against corrosion processes.