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Determining the Chemical Composition of Corrosion Inhibitor/Metal Interfaces with XPS: Minimizing Post Immersion Oxidation
Published on: March 15, 2017
15.9K
Pyrite oxidation inhibition by a cross-linked lipid coating
Xiang Zhang1, Michael J Borda2, Martin Aa Schoonen2
1Department of Chemistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122.
Geochemical Transactions
|April 12, 2022
Summary
UV treatment of a diacetylene phospholipid on pyrite surfaces significantly enhances its protection against oxidation. This polymerized lipid layer creates an impermeable barrier, improving pyrite stability in the environment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
Background:
- Pyrite (FeS2) oxidation is a significant environmental concern, leading to acid mine drainage.
- Previous research demonstrated that a specific diacetylene-containing phospholipid can suppress pyrite oxidation by 75%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of UV radiation on a diacetylene-containing phospholipid adsorbed onto pyrite.
- To determine if UV treatment enhances the protective capabilities of the phospholipid layer against pyrite oxidation.
Main Methods:
- Adsorption of l,2-bis(10,12-tricosadiynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine onto pyrite surfaces.
- Exposure of the adsorbed lipid layer to UV radiation.
- Analysis using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infra-Red (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy.
- Quantification of pyrite oxidation suppression.
Main Results:
- UV pre-exposure of the adsorbed phospholipid resulted in a 90% suppression of pyrite oxidation, a significant improvement over non-UV treated samples.
- ATR-FTIR analysis indicated that UV irradiation did not degrade the adsorbed lipid layer.
- The enhanced protection is attributed to UV-induced cross-linking and polymerization of the phospholipid.
Conclusions:
- UV-treated diacetylene phospholipids form a robust, impermeable barrier on pyrite surfaces.
- This polymerized layer effectively separates pyrite from the aqueous phase, preventing oxidation.
- The findings suggest a novel strategy for protecting pyrite from environmental oxidation, with potential applications in mining and environmental remediation.

