The effect of ultrasonic irradiation during electropolymerization of polypyrrole on corrosion prevention of the coated steel

Ultrasonic irradiation was imposed during electropolymerization of polypyrrole (PPy) in acid phosphate solution containing molybdophosphate (PMo12O403-) ions and pyrrole monomer. Corrosion of the steel coated by the PPy film prepared under ultrasonic irradiation was tested in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution and compared with corrosion of the steel coated by the PPy film without ultrasonic irradiation. The PPy film prepared under ultrasonic irradiation kept the steel in the passive state one and a half times as long as that prepared without ultrasonic irradiation. Imposition of ultrasound enhanced the doping of PMo12O403- and decreased the doping of HPO42-. The surface morphology of the PPy film was changed with imposition of ultrasound in electropolymerization process. Under imposition of ultrasound, a dense and compact PPy layer was formed. The structure of the PPy film obtained under ultrasonic irradiation was assumed to result from change in nucleation-growth mechanism.