Bacillus cereus s-EPS as a dual bio-functional corrosion and scale inhibitor in artificial seawater

In this study, soluble extracellular polymeric substances (s-EPS) secreted by Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) were studied as a novel, dual bio-functional corrosion and scale inhibiting material, in artificial seawater. Static tests showed that the scale inhibition efficiency (SI%) was close to 87.60% for CaCO₃ at the concentration of 80 mg/L s-EPS. Electrochemical technique results showed that s-EPS inhibition efficiencies, in relation to 316L stainless steel (SS), and at the concentration of 40 mg/L, reached 91.05% at 10 d and 91.16% at 30 d, respectively. The high anti-scale and anti-corrosion performance of s-EPS was related to their chelating, adsorption, and biomineralization abilities. s-EPS integrated with metal ions on the SS surface, resulting in formation of a thin but dense biomineralized film, which exhibited lasting corrosion resistance. Meanwhile, s-EPS controlled the kinetic pathway of CaCO₃ biomineralized nucleation and crystal growth, which inhibited CaCO₃ crystal precipitation. This finding suggests that B. cereus s-EPS may offer a green, sustainable, and economic strategy for anti-corrosion and anti-scale application in industry.