Adaptive bidirectional extracellular electron transfer during accelerated microbiologically influenced corrosion of stainless steel

Journal article (2021)

Authors

Z. Li Team Arjan Mol - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering , University of Science and Technology Beijing
Weiwei Chang University of Science and Technology Beijing
Tingyue Gu Ohio University
Xiaogang Li University of Science and Technology Beijing
Tianyu Cui University of Science and Technology Beijing
Dake Xu Northeastern University China
Dawei Zhang University of Science and Technology Beijing
Yuntian Lou University of Science and Technology Beijing
Hongchang Qian University of Science and Technology Beijing
Hao Song Tianjin University
J.M.C. Mol Team Arjan Mol - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Fahe Cao Sun Yat-sen University
Research Group
Team Arjan Mol (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2021 Z. Li, Weiwei Chang, Tianyu Cui, Dake Xu, Dawei Zhang, Yuntian Lou, Hongchang Qian, Hao Song, J.M.C. Mol, Fahe Cao, Tingyue Gu, Xiaogang Li
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-021-00173-8
More Info
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Materials Science and Engineering

Research Group

Team Arjan Mol

Abstract

Microbiologically influenced corrosion of metals is prevalent in both natural and industrial environments, causing enormous structural damage and economic loss. Exactly how microbes influence corrosion remains controversial. Here, we show that the pitting corrosion of stainless steel is accelerated in the presence of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 biofilm by extracellular electron transfer between the bacterial cells and the steel electrode, mediated by a riboflavin electron shuttle. From pitting measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Mott-Schottky analyses, the addition of an increased amount of riboflavin is found to induce a more defective passive film on the stainless steel. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals that enhanced bioanodic and biocathodic process can both promote the corrosion of the stainless steel. Using in situ scanning electrochemical microscopy, we observe that extracellular electron transfer between the bacterium and the stainless steel is bidirectional in nature and switchable depending on the passive or active state of the steel surface.