Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have discovered a surprising application for the proteins present in barnacles’ natural adhesive: protecting metals from corrosion caused by salt water.
This breakthrough, detailed for the first time in a recent study, suggests that these proteins could be key to the development of environmentally friendly anti-corrosion paints and coatings.
[post_relacionado]Metals exposed to the severity of the marine environment, such as those used in ships and offshore platforms offshore platforms require corrosion protection to prolong their service life. Commercial corrosion inhibitors, while effective, often release toxic chemicals into the marine environment, posing a risk to aquatic life.
The researchers explored the possibility that adhesive proteins from barnacles, known to adhere to metal surfaces underwater, could create a protective barrier on metal. Through genetic engineering, they produced a recombinant protein from the barnacle Megabalanus rosa, which has previously been used in adhesives for bone and dental repairs due to its strong adhesion to inorganic substrates.
How do barnacles protect metals from corrosion?
In their experiments, they immersed pieces of steel in a concentrated salt solution that mimicked seawater and added protein solutions at different concentrations. They observed that, at concentrations above 5 mg/mL, the protein rapidly adhered to the steel surface forming a uniform layer.
Spectroscopic analysis and computational simulations indicated that the protein forms a complex with the free iron ions in the steel, effectively coating the metal substrate and preventing its corrosion.
This study, labeled as high risk, but with significant reward potential by experts such as Nick Aldred of the University of Essex, poses significant challenges for the durability of these biomaterials in the environment, especially since the protein layers can be rapidly consumed by bacteria.
This discovery not only opens a new horizon in the field of corrosion protection, but also highlights the potential of natural systems to inspire sustainable solutions in industry. The challenge now is to advance the development of proteins that maintain their integrity in hostile environments, thus leading the way to environmentally friendly and durable coatings.
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Source: cen.acs.org
Photo: shutterstock