Corrosion protection properties of polypyrrole coatings formed onto 316 L SS from a solution containing molybdate and salicylate

The electrosynthesis of PPy films onto 316L stainless steel from nearly neutral and alkaline solutions containing molybdate and salicylate is reported. The corrosion behaviour of the coatings constituted by hollow rectangular microtubes was monitored in Ringer solution using open circuit potential measurements, polarization techniques and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The polymer formed in a solution of pH 8 was the most efficient in terms of corrosion protection. The coating significantly reduced the pitting corrosion of the substrate. The results were interpreted taking into consideration the polymer electroactivity, the galvanic interaction polypyrrole/substrate and the nature of dopants. Silver species were effectively immobilized onto the hollow rectangular-sectioned microtubes of PPy. The modified coatings demonstrated that they have a good bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and they were also able to protect the substrate against corrosion in Ringer solution.