Graphene Coating as an Effective Barrier to Prevent Bacteria-Mediated Dissolution of Gold

The interaction of biofilms with metallic surfaces produces two biologically induced degradation processes materials: microbial corrosion and bioleaching. Both phenomena affect most materials, but in the case noble metals such as gold, which is inert to corrosion, metallophilic bacteria can cause its direct or dissolution. When this process controlled, it be used for hydrometallurgical applications, recovery precious from electronic waste. However, presence unwanted bioleaching-producing detrimental materials specific environments. In work, we propose use single-layer graphene a protective coating reduce Au bioleaching by Cupriavidus metallidurans, strain adapted metal contaminated environments capable dissolving Au. By means Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, demonstrate that coatings are an effective barrier prevent complex interactions responsible This behavior understood terms pore size, creates impermeable prevents pass Au-complexing ligands produced C.metallidurans through coating. addition, changes surface energy electrostatic presumably reducing bacterial adhesion graphene-coated surfaces. Our findings provide novel approach deterioration devices where have been found