Extracellular electron transfer of Bacillus cereus biofilm and its effect on the corrosion behaviour of 316L stainless steel

Abstract

Here, a heterogeneous Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) biofilm on the surface of 316 L stainless steel (SS) was observed. With electrochemical measurement and surface analysis, it was found that B. cereus biofilm could inhibit SS pitting corrosion, attributing to the blocking effect of bacterial biofilm on extracellular electron transfer (EET). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) results also showed that B. cereus biofilm clearly impeded the EET. The proposed mechanism for the decreased corrosion rates of SS involves the interactions of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) with SS and biofilm formation blocking electron transfer, preventing the passive layer from destroying. After biofilm formation following initial attachment of cells and EPS, electron transfer between SS and the cathodic depolarizer (oxygen) was hindered.

Keywords: Bacillus cereus; Corrosion; EIS; Stainless steel.