Corrosion and biofilm for a composite coated iron observed by FTIR-ATR and Raman spectroscopy

Corrosion of metallic materials occurs in various ways. Recently, many researchers have pointed out that biofilm formed by a biofouling process may be a main cause for the initial stage of corrosion. From this viewpoint, the control of biofilm would help lead to corrosion prevention. In this paper, the authors studied the composite film of silane compounds with dispersed organometallic compounds that showed anti-fouling effect on pure iron substrates. The specimens were immersed in a laboratory biofilm reactor for 7 days to form biofilms on them. The surfaces of the specimens were observed by optical and scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. Finally, the effect of the composite coating on biofilm formation and corrosion characteristics was studied and shown to inhibit both.