Evolution of oxygen reduction current and biofilm on stainless steels cathodically polarised in natural aerated seawater

摘要: Abstract The aim of a series works recently performed at ISMAR was to provide new useful information for better understanding the mechanisms by which bacteria settlement causes corrosion on Stainless Steels (SS) and similar active–passive alloys exposed seawater. In this work, evolutions cathodic current, population, electronic structure passive layer were investigated SS samples polarised fixed potentials during their exposure natural It found that, first phase biofilm growth, current increase is proportional number settled each potential. However, proportionality factor between depends imposed particular, strongly decreases when potential increased above critical value close −150 mV Ag/AgCl. This effect seems be correlated with layer. Indeed, outer part tested behave like conductor more active than Ag/AgCl, an n-type semiconductor noble potentials.