Experimental and theoretical analysis of polymerization reaction process on the polydopamine membranes and its corrosion protection properties for 304 Stainless Steel

Inspired by the bio-adhesion principle, polydopamine membrane was fabricated by dipping the 304 Stainless Steel (304 SS) substrate into an aqueous alkaline dopamine solution and its possible reaction mechanism and the temperature effect were studied. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), surface reflection Fourier transform infrared spectrum (SR-FTIR), UV–visible spectrum. The polymerization reactions of dopamine in solution were also analyzed by the LUMO energies, simulated infrared spectrum and HOMO–LUMO energy gaps of selected structure models calculation, and the possible interfacial reaction mechanism was also discussed by the molecular orbital analysis of melanin clusters. Moreover, the corrosion behaviors of the polydopamine films prepared at different temperatures and dipping days were evaluated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), as well as that of bare 304 SS, especially long stability in 3.5% NaCl solution.