Abstract
In this review article, illustrating the impact and fundamental stuff of microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) along with mechanism, maintenance of materials, human life, wellbeing and inhibitors for cooling towers. Corrosion is a natural mechanism of oxidation and reduction of metal ions by chemical and electrochemical processes and microorganism accumulation. MIC occurs through the aggregation of microbes which can be secreting the extra polymeric substances (EPS) that oxidation of the metal surface. According to the reviews, in the cooling water system, the corrosion begins in the anode charge because its oxidation reaction quickly takes place on the metal surface than the cathode charge. Annihilate the corrosion process needs certain helper substances such as chemical or green compounds, called inhibitors. Corrosion inhibitors typically adopt the adsorption mechanism due to the presence of organic hetero atoms. Chemical and green inhibitors are used to prevent corrosion processes and since ancient times, vast quantities of chemical inhibitors have been used in industry due to their effectiveness and consistency. But still, the chemical inhibitors are more toxic to humans and the environment. Instead of chemical inhibitors, green inhibitors (natural products like plant leaves, flowers, stem, buds, roots and sea algae) are developed and used in industries. Generally, green inhibitors contain natural compounds, high inhibition efficiency, economic, eco- and human-friendly, and strong potential features against corrosion. Thus, a lot of research is ongoing to discover the green inhibitors in various parts of plants and seaweeds.
•Review on understanding the fundamental of microbial corrosion and its control mitigation.•Hetero atoms with free electron pairs of inhibitors playing role in inhibition of MIC.•Green inhibitors potential source for control of MIC.