Application of polypyrrole/TiO2 composite films as corrosion protection of mild steel

This work is a study of the anticorrosion protection of polypyrrole (PPy) on AISI 1010 steel (mild steel) by the incorporation of TiO2 pigment into the PPy matrix during electrochemical synthesis. The influence of parameters such as stirring, concentration, pH and nature of the electrolyte were investigated. The degree of pigment incorporation into the polymeric matrix with respect to time and current densities of the electrodeposition process were also investigated. The influence on the current efficiencies of the process was evaluated. The morphology of the composite film was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the distribution of the pigment within the polymeric matrix by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The PPy/TiO2 composite showed a considerable improvement in anticorrosion properties with respect to PPy films after being submitted to salt spray and weight loss tests. These composite films can be applied as a primary coating replacing the phosphatized layers on mild steel. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.