Abstract
•PVA increased the electropolymerization rate of PANI on stainless steel surface.•PVA improved the protection role of PANI for SS against general and pitting corrosion.•PANI–PVA improved hardness and adhesion to surface but with less thermal stability.•PANI–PVA passivates the SS surface and improved the passive oxide composition.
Polyaniline–polyvinyl alcohol (PANI–PVA) composite has been electrodeposited on stainless steel surface from aqueous sulfuric acid solution of aniline monomer in presence of soluble PVA at different concentrations. The PVA increased the rate of electropolymerization where 4g/L PVA formed a composite of 37wt% PANI and 63wt% PVA composition. The composite layer exhibited more adhesion to the steel surface in comparison with PANI layer but with less thermal stability. It has higher protection role for the stainless steel (SS) against general and pitting corrosion. It enhanced the passivation of the SS surface by increasing the thickness of oxide film and improving the composition.