Corrosion protection aspects of electrochemically prepared polyfurfural film on low carbon steel

This paper describes new experimental evidence of the electropolymerization of furfural on non‐noble metals such as low‐carbon steel. The organic compound (2‐furancarboxaldehyde) was selected because it is easily obtained from biomass and other sources. These results confirm the possibility of synthesizing a polymeric film, with good adherence and stability that provides a new protective barrier against corrosion to this kind of metal.

Electrochemical methods such as chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to synthesize and characterize the polymer formed on the electrode surface. Some electrochemical impedance experiments were conducted in order to confirm the electrochemical behavior modification of the electrode, due to the presence of the organic film on the surface.

The polymer film could be grown galvanostatically, potentiostatically or, during CV. The corrosion protection afforded by polyfurfural (PFy) that had been formed on a low‐carbon steel surface was confirmed by the CV, EIS and polarization curves.

The possible synthesis of a new polymeric structure on a non‐noble metal is interesting from a practical point of view. However, more experiments are necessary in order to test other organic solvents and other non‐noble metals such as zinc, aluminium, copper, etc.

The corrosion protection afforded by PFy that had been formed on a low‐carbon steel surface was confirmed by the CV, EIS and polarization curves. Anodic current values associated with metal oxidation decreased when the metal surface was covered with the organic film.

This is the first paper that deals with the electropolymerization of furfural on this type of metal. It was not found in the literature evidences that this polymer was synthesized before.