Development and Characterization of the Epoxy-Based Chitosan Coated Zn/Ag Nanocomposite Coatings to Resolve Thermophilic Biofilms in Industrial Pipelines

Abstract

This research focused on the development of epoxy resin-based Chitosan coated Silver and Zinc nanocomposites, respectively to solve the problem of the corrosion due to the biofilms formation on the industrial pipelines (oil and refinery pipe lines) developed by cost effective green (re-cycle) process. Specifically, we studied the electro-chemical behavior of thermophilic bacteria in pipelines. Biofilm formation in oil and petroleum pipelines is due to many factors including pH, temperature, salt, etc. Several studies have been carried out on oil and petroleum line distribution system for biofilmswhich show the presence of hygienically relevant microorganisms. The degradation problem of petroleum products arises since hydrocarbon acts as an excellent food source for a wide variety of microorganisms. Microbial activity leads to unacceptable level of turbidity, corrosion of pipeline and souring of stored product. In this study we will collect different biofilm samples and will be studied for the biofilm morphology, characterizing for the formation of biofilm on pipe lines will be analyzed by using the techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman microscopy (RMS), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM EDAX). We will report the design and evaluation of different bacterial species and, genes from bacterial isolation, Phylogenetic analysis of sequenced genes to know the diversity of bacterial strains in the pipeline. In addition, localized biofilm of the pipeline in the presence of the consortia will be observed by scanning electron microscopy analysis and morphology by EPI fluorescence microscopy, and thus the advantages of nano-scale materials will be realized with their potential applications in diversified avenues. In this work we investigate Zinc and silver nanoparticles which will be integrated on Chitosan to obtain Chitosan coated silver and Chitosan coated zinc nanoparticles and it will be dispersed in coating matrix (Epoxy) to explore these Nanocomposites for coatings in pipelines by using with epoxy resins. Secondly these Nanocomposites analyzed for their optical and electric properties (Impedance and polarization) applications. This study involves microbiological aspects of biofilm formation and their role on electrochemical studies for biofilm degradation.