A Novel Silver-polystyrene Microemulsion for the Control of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion in Cooling Water Systems

Objectives The objectives of this study were preparation of a novel silver-polystyrene microemulsion and evaluation its performance in mitigation of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in the industrial cooling water systems. The materials: silver electrodes, polystyrene-2% divinylbenzene copolymer, potassium hydroxide, 12 V DC power source. Material and Methods Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) were synthesized using electrical arc method and subsequently incorporated into a thermodynamically stable polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer/water microemulsion. The nanocomposite was characterized using transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-Vis. spectroscopy, Differential light scattering (DLS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Its inhibition efficiency performance was assessed for carbon steel corrosion in industrial cooling water via gravimetric weight loss and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. Antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated against Gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis ) and Gram-negative ( Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium ) bacteria using the agar well-diffusion method. Results The microemulsion featured uniformly dispersed SNPs with an average particle size ∼100 nm and a strong surface plasmon peak at 430 nm. It demonstrated significant corrosion inhibition, reduced the corrosion rate from 25.25 mpy in the blank to 3.47 mpy at an optimal concentration 90 ppm, corresponding to an inhibition efficiency of 86.4% (weight loss) and 86.0% (polarization). The material also showed potent, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, produced inhibition zones larger than standard antibiotic. The synthesized SNPs-polystyrene microemulsion was as multifunctional agent for MIC control, provided effective corrosion inhibition through surface film and potent biocidal activity disrupted microbial biofilms. Conclusion This work presents a promising and scalable strategy for protecting carbon steel infrastructure in corrosive cooling water environments.