Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion: Uncovering Mechanisms and Discovering Inhibitor—Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles as Promising Biocorrosion Inhibitors

Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (MMO NPs) are excellent antimicrobials, anti-biofilm and possess quorum sense quenching and inhibition property. The biocides used to control biocorrosion are expensive, release unwanted by-products into the environment and in most cases not effective against established biofilm. MMO NPs are ecofriendly, less expensive, and possess excellent antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and anti-quorum sensing activity and hence are a promising group of inhibitors against biocorrosion. This review highlights the mechanisms of biocorrosion and biofilm formation, microbes involved, and properties of metal and metal oxide NPs that make them suitable as biocorrosion inhibitor.