Oxide/Polypyrrole Composite Films for Corrosion Protection of Iron

Abstract
Oxide polypyrrole (PPy) composite films have been studied as protective coatings for iron. PPy films, containing strong oxidative species like oxide, have been obtained in order to maintain the polymer in its oxidized state which corresponds to the iron passive domain. Oxide particles in suspension in pyrrole/tetraoxalate solution have been embedded in PPy film during its electrodeposition. The films have been characterized by electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and tested in 3% NaCl corrosive medium. A significant improvement of the protection efficiency was obtained with PPy/iron oxide composite films and especially with PPy/Fe3O4PPy/Fe3O4 composite films. © 2002 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.