Corrosion properties of the Mg alloy coated with polypyrrole films

• Electropolymerization of pyrrole on Mg-alloy surface in presence of salicylate.
• Salicylate dual role in PPy deposition: passivation and electron transfer mediation.
• Redox potential of salicylate corresponds to potential of PPy nucleation.
• EIS and polarization corrosion studies of PPy coated Mg-alloy in Hanks’ solution.
• Polypyrrole significantly slowdown Mg alloy corrosion in Hanks’ solution.

In the present study the reactive surface of Mg alloy was coated with the nontoxic biocompatible polypyrrole (PPy) film synthesized by electrochemical oxidation from an aqueous salicylate solution. Salicylate ions prevent Mg dissolution and act as an electron transfer mediator during the PPy film nucleation, formation and growth on the alloy surface. Kinetics of the pyrrole polymerization as well as corrosion resistance of the PPy coated Mg alloy in the Hanks’ solution were investigated using dc electrochemical methods and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Characterization of the surface film was performed by optical and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).