Multifunctional Inhibitors: Additives to Control Corrosive Degradation and Microbial Adhesion

Abstract

The chemical, electrochemical and microbiological corrosive degradation of metals is a versatile harmful problem that causes significant economic loss all over the world. The mitigation of these undesired processes needs basic knowledge on the mechanisms of processes in order to control these reactions with environmentally acceptable chemicals and techniques. This paper focuses on the up-to-date possibilities that help in the mitigation of chemical/electrochemical corrosion and, at the same time, decrease the deposition of corrosion relevant microorganisms, as the microbes in biofilms are more dangerous than the planktonic cells. Some chemicals or coatings due to their specific properties can fulfill multiple functions; they are able to control the corrosion caused by aggressive materials (that could be the metabolites of a corrosion relevant microorganism) and, at the same time, reduce the microbial adhesion. These additives that have important application possibilities in the chemical industry, marine environment, medical field, nanoelectronics, etc., can save energy, materials consumption and cost, and, at the same time, the efficiency is improved. All resolutions will be brought into prominence when the same chemicals (either in dissolved form or in coatings/nanolayers) can effectively control the different appearance of corrosion and, additionally, the microbial adhesion and microbiologically influenced corrosion.