Controlling the biocorrosion of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) on carbon steel using ZnO/chitosan nanocomposite as an eco-friendly biocide.

Graphical abstract Highlights • Interlinked chitosan-ZnO (CZNC-10) nanocomposite inhibited the biocorrosion of SRB on carbon steel. • CZNC-10 co-formed protective film on carbon steel to prevent bacterial attack during initial days of incubation. • CZNC-10 inhibitor caused damage to SRB cells and significant reduction of corrosion products. • Charge transfer resistance (R ct) increased 3.2 times than the control after 21 days of incubation in presence of CZNC-10. Abstract In this report, interlinked chitosan-ZnO nanocomposite at 10% ZnO (CZNC-10) is successfully used as green biocide for biofilm control and reduction of biocorrosion on carbon steel material. It was found that 250 μg/mL CZNC-10 can be used efficiently for the inhibition of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) biofilm on carbon steel. The R ct values after 21 and 28 days of incubation in presence of CZNC-10 are almost 3.2 and 2.8 times higher than the control respectively, indicating a strong corrosion inhibition with 74% as maximum inhibition efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]