Corrosion protection of iron by polypyrrole modified by copper using the cementation process

Polypyrrole (PPy) coatings have been deposited on iron from aqueous oxalic acid solution at different current densities. The polymer deposit obtained at a current density of 2 mA cm(-2) yields strongly adherent and smooth PPy layers. The modification of the film by incorporation of copper microparticles using the cementation process was applied. The resulting PPy/Cu film electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and EDX analysis. The protective performance against corrosion of these films is evaluated by using open circuit potential monitoring in highly corrosive solution (3% NaCl + HCl, pH 1). The results obtained were promising in the protection against corrosion. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.