Evaluation of purine based compounds as the inhibitors of copper corrosion in simulated body fluid

Copper as material can be very useful for biological applications, whether it is used alone or as a component of more complex material. However, it is very important to provide safe application and assure that copper release in the living organisms is under control. That is the reason for undertaking the investigation regarding copper corrosion behaviour in simulated body fluid, more precisely artificial blood plasma. Common way for metal corrosion control is application of organic compounds with the ability to act as corrosion inhibitors. The effect of adenine and 2,6-diaminopurine on copper resistance to corrosion in biological media is evaluated within this study. They are chosen due to their biocompatibility and the fact that they can be introduced into the body as a part of some medical treatments. Electrochemical methods applied showed that both compounds provide copper corrosion inhibition with efficiency of approximately 90%. The results of electrochemical measurements are accompanied by theoretical quantum chemical calculations that also indicate possibility to inhibit corrosion by application of tested compounds. The presence of adenine and 2,6-diaminopurine on the surface of copper as a result of adsorption enabling surface protection is confirmed using scanning electron microscope.