Biodegradable synthetic polymers in sustainable corrosion protection: Present and future scenarios

Polymers have proven to be a successful alternative to conventional toxic corrosion inhibitors. Because they have a lot of electron-rich donor sites, they can effectively adsorb on metallic surfaces, offering excellent surface coverage and protection. They have a large number of applications in coating and anti-corrosion solution phases. Currently, corrosion science and engineering strongly encourage the invention and utilization of biodegradable, nonbioaccumulative, and eco-friendly materials because of the increasing demand for green chemistry and sustainable developments. This prompts the widespread use of natural polymers. Unfortunately, they frequently experience physiochemical changes that negatively impact their performance, especially at high temperatures and electrolyte concentrations. The extraction, purification, characterization, and application of natural polymers are typically laborious, drawn-out and not cost-effective approaches. Therefore, biodegradable synthetic polymers (BDSPs) have emerged as ideal substitutes for sustainable corrosion protection. There are numerous studies that cover the various facets of corrosion inhibition, but they rarely discuss BDSPs' overall corrosion inhibition potential. The current report discusses the potential of common BDSPs to inhibit corrosion. The obstacles and potential of using biodegradable synthetic polymers in sustainable corrosion mitigation have also been discussed.