Discovering novel MIC inhibitors :

The global economic cost of corrosion is US$ 2.5 trillion, of which US$ 0.5 trillion is estimated to be a result of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC). Reviewing current corrosion protection systems shows that corrosion inhibitor technologies are efficient, practical and economical pathways. Chromate-based compounds have demonstrated high efficacy corrosion protection (abiotic corrosion inhibitor), but are highly toxic and carcinogenic. Furthermore, there is concern for the biocides that have been used for combating MIC, as they are highly toxic chemicals. This highlights the significance of developing new corrosion protection technologies to maintain metallic structures in a variety of service environments. Hence, highly efficient, eco-friendly, novel MIC inhibitors with multiple functionality that can protect against both abiotic and microbial corrosion of mild steel is much needed.

A lack of environmentally friendly MIC inhibitors in the market encourages the synthetic group to design and underpin new chemical structures to develop highly efficient, novel MIC inhibitors for mild steel. There is a collaboration with Deakin and Curtin universities to examine the anti-microbial properties in addition to the abiotic corrosion properties of the new inhibitors that have been developed.