A Circular Strategy for Waste Biomass Utilization: Fruit Peel-Based ZnO Nanoparticles against SRB-Induced Corrosion
摘要
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in oil pipeline reinjection water can lead to microbial corrosion (MIC) and environmental contamination, and conventional chemical biocides suffer from ecotoxicity and microbial resistance. This study proposes a sustainable solution for green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) based on fruit peel extracts. ZnO NPs were prepared by biosynthesis using waste fruit peel (citrus, tomato and lemon) extracts as complexing and stabilizing agents, and their morphology, crystal structure and surface functional groups were characterized by SEM, XRD and FTIR. The antimicrobial performance and anticorrosion mechanism were comprehensively evaluated by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration, quantitative biofilm analysis, as well as carbon steel corrosion weight loss method characterization. The synthesized ZnO NPs have a particle size of 20–50 nm (spherical) and hexagonal fibrillated zincite crystal structure. Among the tested nanoparticles, the one synthesized from tomato peel extract was the most effective, achieving 94.58% bacterial inhibition, 67.49% reduction in biofilm thickness, 83.62% corrosion inhibition. Antimicrobial mechanism studies have shown that ZnONPs exerted antibacterial and corrosion-inhibiting effects by damaging the SRB cell membrane, causing cytoplasmic leakage, inhibiting SRB growth and development, and slowing biofilm formation.