Effect of Applied Potential to Control Bacterial Adhesion on Titanium a Condenser Material of Nuclear Power Plants

The effect of applied potential to control bacterial adhesion on titanium is studied. Open circuit potential (OCP) and adhesion density were monitored for 24 h for titanium exposed to bacterial species in seawater environment to standardize the parameters like applied potential and time of exposure. Followed by this, anodic and cathodic potentiodynamic polarization studies were carried out with specimens exposed to Bacillus sp., to monitor adhesion and biofilm formation. Epifluorescence observation clearly showed reduced attachment of Bacillus sp. on polarized surfaces. The effect of applied potential on the formation of biofilms was studied with Pseudomonas sp., Flavobacterium sp., Bacillus sp. and Micrococcus sp. on titanium specimens potentiostatically polarized anodically (+600 mV) above the OCP and cathodically (-600 mV) below OCP. The results of the present study showed the removal of attached cells at both anodic and cathodic potentials. Effect of applied potential on both biofilm formation and conditions for biofilm development are discussed in the paper.