Electrochemistry of Nanostructured Features on Steel Surface and the Applications
Date
2017-12-15
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Abstract
Functionalization of pipeline steels through facile nano-techniques is valuable for industrial applications. In this research, the mechanistic aspects of steel corrosion at nanoscale has been studied in order to manipulate the development of corroded nanostructure on pipeline steel. High-performance nanocoatings capable of anti-bioadhesion and self-cleaning have been successfully developed on pipeline steels through facile electrochemical anodization methods.
When the X100 pipeline steel is either corroded or passivated in aqueous environments, the development of nanostructures on the steel surface highly depends on the early-stage corrosion behavior, where the thermodynamics and kinetics are affected by the conditions such as surface finish, electrolyte concentration, and electrochemical potential. The nanostructure on steel substrate shows a quick-response to changes of the conditions, either caused by exposure to corrosive electrolytes, or electrochemical potential. The surface features are under a non-equilibrium state lasting from hundreds to thousands of seconds, during which the corrosion processes of the steel were successfully characterized by topographic in-situ mapping through electrochemical atomic force microscopy. It is demonstrated that the corroded nanostructure on pipeline steel can be controlled through manipulating conditions in order to achieve various functions.
Nanostructured coating can be fabricated by anodization of pipeline steels in a concentrated alkaline solution. The nanostructure of the coatings can reduce the interactive force between microorganisms and the steel, resulting into anti-bioadhesion to sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and P. aeruginosa. The photocatalytic property of iron oxides in the nanocoatings enables the release of toxic and oxidative reactive oxygen species (ROSs) under light illumination, enhancing the anti-bioadhesion performance up to 99.9 % compared to bare steel. Further treatment by dipping ZnAc solution and annealing allows the formation of ZnFe2O4 in the nanocoating, improving the electrochemical stability of the nanocoating in corrosive environments while maintaining a high performance in anti-bioadhesion and self-cleaning of residual bacteria (up to 99.3 % of total coverage) on the steel.
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Pipeline steel, Nanostructure, Corrosion, Anodization, Anti-bioadhesion, Photocatalysis