Electrochemical behavior of passive films on Al–17Si–14Mg (wt.%) alloy in near-neutral solutions

The anodic polarization behavior of alloy Al–17Si–14Mg in borate solutions with and without 0.01 M NaCl was compared to that for pure Al. Results showed that, for the alloy, the passive current density increased but the pitting susceptibility decreased. The first effect was ascribed to a significant electrochemical activity of the Mg₂Si intermetallics and the second to improved stability of the oxide film. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of potentiostatically formed passive film on the alloy showed that it consisted of aluminum oxyhydroxide with incorporation of silicon in its elemental and two oxidized states (+3 and +4). Mott–Schottky analysis showed that trivalent silicon ion acted as an n-type dopant in the film. The interrelationship between passive film composition, electronic properties, and pitting behavior has been discussed.     

Corrosion resistances of passive films on low‐Cr steel and carbon steel in simulated concrete pore solution

The passive ranges of carbon steel rebar and 3Cr steel rebar in saturated Ca(OH)₂‐simulated concrete pore solution with pH 12.6 were determined by means of cyclic voltammetry and potentiodynamic polarization curves. Chronopotentiometry was used to obtain steady‐state conditions for the formation of passive films on rebar samples at different anodic potentials. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Mott–Schottky and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer curves were employed to compare the formed passive films at different potentials. Additionally, cyclic polarization curves were used to compare the corrosion resistances of formed passive films on the two rebars in saturated Ca(OH)₂‐simulated concrete pore solution with different concentration of Cl^?. The results show that the passive ranges of the two rebars are all between ?0.15 and +0.6 V, and more stable passive films can be formed on both rebars at the anodic potential of +0.3 V. In the absence of Cl^?, the stability and corrosion resistance of the passive film formed on the 3Cr rebar are better than those of CS rebar. The passive film of 3Cr steel has the relatively better pitting corrosion resistance than carbon steel in saturated Ca(OH)₂‐simulated concrete pore solution that contains different concentration of Cl^?. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pitting of Al and Al–Si alloys in KSCN solutions and the effect of light

The pitting corrosion susceptibility of pure Al and three Al-Si alloys, namely (Al-6%Si), (Al-12%Si) and (Al-18%Si) has been studied in 0.04 M KSCN solution. Measurements were carried out under the effect of various experimental conditions using cyclic polarization, potentiostatic and galvanostatic techniques. In all cases, the potentiodynamic anodic polarization curves do not exhibit active dissolution region due to spontaneous passivation. The passivity is due to the presence of a thin film of Al₂O₃ on the anode surface. The passive region is followed by pitting corrosion, at a certain critical potential, pitting potential (E_pit), as a result of breakdown of the passive film by SCN^? anions. Cyclic polarization measurements allowed the determination of the pitting corrosion parameters, namely the pitting potential and the repassivation potential (E_rp). Alloyed Si decreased the passive current (j_pass) and shifted both E_pit and E_rp towards more positive values. Thus alloyed Si suppressed pitting attack. The effect of illumination on passivity and the initiation of pitting corrosion on Al in KSCN solutions was also studied. It is observed that illumination of Al leads to an increase in its pitting corrosion resistance-apparent from j_pass, E_pit, and E_rp measurements in aggressive KSCN solutions.     

Fe基合金钝化膜点蚀敏感性的电化学研究

应用电位扫描、交流阻抗、电化学噪声等方法研究Fe及其合金在中性水溶液中钝化膜的形成过程、电子性质和点蚀敏感性以及不同微组织结构间的相互作用.结果表明:由Mott-Schot tky关系式确定钝化膜的电子性质仅限于较窄的低电位范围;在较高电位下,电容倒数与电位的线性关系当归因于钝化膜厚度的变化;反映钝化膜缺陷的电子性质与合金的点蚀敏感性有关,钝化膜电子供给体浓度越高,点蚀倾向越强。钝化膜的电子性质受钝化膜形成电位、钝化剂种类以及合金的微组织结构影响;不同微组织结构之间存在相互作用,这种相互作用能够诱导缺陷较大的一方发生点蚀。铁素体与珠光体和/或马素体相互作用时,点蚀在铁素体形成和发展.     

Relations entre la structure electronique des films de passivation formes sur les aciers inoxydables et la susceptibilite de ces derniers a la corrosion par piqures

The passive films formed on 316L stainless steel in various NaCl solutions have been investigated by capacitance measurements (Mott-Schottky study). Pitting parameters have been determined using the galvanokinetic polarisation method. The obtained results reveal the existence of a shallow and a deep donor level localised in the band gap of the semiconducting oxide film. These energy levels are due to iron ions in the tetrahedral and octahedral positions. It also appears that the participation of the deep donor level affects the electric field. The study developed allows us to compare characteristic parameters of the electronic structure of the passive film to those related to pitting susceptibility.     

铬对碳钢在NaHCO3/NaCO3缓冲溶液中所成钝化膜半导体性能的影响

应用电化学阻抗谱技术研究铬对碳钢钝化膜半导体性能的影响.实验表明,在碳酸氢钠/碳酸钠缓冲溶液中碳钢形成的钝化膜具n型半导体特性,而含有3%铬的碳钢钝化膜则呈n-p型半导体特性,随着成膜电位的增加,以上两种钝化膜之Mott-Schottky直线部分的斜率均呈增大的趋势,表明成膜电位升高,膜内的杂质密度减小,但铬的加入使得碳钢钝化膜的施主密度增加约一个数量级,从而增加了碳钢点蚀发生的趋势.EIS分析表明:铬的加入降低了钝化膜的传递电阻R1和膜电阻R2,特别是膜电阻R2下降达3个数量级,这就有可能增加碳钢在高pH值环境中的腐蚀.     

The effect of the change in the microscopic structures of the iron on corrosion resistance and passivated properties

The passive film of iron showed n‐type semiconductor characteristic in borate buffer solution, and its donor concentration increased slightly after tensile strain in the present study. However, comparing with solution‐annealed sample, the anodic passive film formed on tensile‐strained one was highly protective. The more dislocations on tensile‐strained sample promoted the diffusion of iron and oxygen vacancy. Moreover, more donor density (mainly oxygen vacancies) promoted the diffusion of oxygen. They all facilitated tensile‐strained sample to form Fe₂O₃ and thicker passive film on the surface. More Fe₂O₃ and thicker passive film on the surface of tensile‐strained iron could improve corrosion resistance. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evolution of an iron passive film in a borate buffer solution (pH 8.4)

The evolution under open-circuit conditions of iron passive films formed at 0.8 V_SCE in a borate buffer solution at pH 8.4 was investigated with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry. The composition of the freshly formed passive film as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was found to be in agreement with a bilayer model, where the inner layer is composed mainly of iron oxide and the outer layer consists of a hydrated material. Results of XPS measurements also showed that the open-circuit breakdown of passive films was consistent with a reductive dissolution mechanism. When the iron electrode reached an intermediate stage in the open-circuit potential decay (approximately −0.3 V_SCE), the oxide film, containing both Fe(II) and Fe(III), was still protective. The impedance response in this stage exhibited a mixed control by charge transfer at the metal/film and film/solution interfaces and diffusion of point defects through the film. At the final stage of the open-circuit potential decay (approximately −0.7 V_SCE), the oxide film was very thin, and the ratio of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ and O²⁻/OH⁻ had decreased significantly. The impedance response also exhibited a mixed charge-transfer–diffusion control, but the diffusion process was related to transport of species in the electrolyte solution resulting from dissolution of the oxide film.     

Impedance spectroscopy study of passive layers on the surface of lead-tin and lead-tin-calcium alloys anodically oxidized in 4.8 M sulfuric acid solution

The nature of passive films, which were formed at various potentials in 4.8 M H₂SO₄ solution on the lead-tin and lead-tin-calcium alloys, is studied by the method of impedance spectroscopy. At the potentials of 1.3 and 1.7 V, the electrode impedance is presented by the equivalent circuit, which corresponds to the formation of a bilayer film consisting of lead(II) sulfate and oxide on the electrode surface. Lead(II) oxide, which forms under the layer of lead sulfate, determines a high resistance of passive layer on the electrodes of lead alloys under investigation. An introduction of tin into the lead alloys significantly decreases the resistance of passive layers. An addition of calcium to the lead-tin alloy raises the impedance of the system. At a potential of 2.05 V, a single-layer compact passive film forms on the electrodes of the test lead alloys. It consists predominantly of lead oxides PbO _x (1 < x ≤ 2), which exhibit a higher electron conductivity. An introduction of tin into the lead alloys decreases the resistance of formed films; calcium has almost no effect on the resistance of passive film under these conditions.     

Study of complex formation in Al(III) – Gluconic acid system and the influence of UV light on the dissolution and passive behavior of Al

The passive and dissolution behavior of Al was studied in 0.25 M gluconic acid solution (HG) under the conditions of continuous illumination (300–400 nm) and non-illumination at 25 °C. Measurements were conducted based on cyclic polarization technique, complemented with SEM examinations. Addition of HG induced localized attack, rather than anodizing, via the formation of Al–gluconate soluble complex species. Complexation with gluconate (G^?) anion was elucidated using elemental analysis, IR-spectroscopy and UV–vis spectra. The infrared spectral data is in agreement with coordination through carboxylate-to-metal, with G^? acting as a monodentate ligand. A little ennoblement in the pitting potential (E_pit) was observed for the illuminated electrode (little influence on pit nucleation). On the other hand, the anodic currents at potentials exceeding the pitting potential are greatly reduced upon illumination (significant influence on pit growth and propagation). These findings indicated that the incident photons of the UV light enhanced the resistance of the passive film towards localized attack. These explained in terms of a photo-induced modification of the passive film formed on the anode surface, which render it more resistant to the onset of attack. The repassivation potential (E_rp), however, was found to be independent of the energy of the incident UV light. SEM images revealed that the severity of localized attack was suppressed upon illumination.     

The effects of film thickness and incorporated anions on pitting corrosion of aluminum with barrier-type oxide films formed in neutral borate and phosphate electrolytes

The pitting corrosion behavior of high-purity aluminum covered with barrier-type anodic films, which are formed in neutral borate and phosphate electrolytes, has been examined in 0.5 mol dm^?3 NaCl solution at an applied potential of ?0.6 V versus Ag/AgCl, which is slightly nobler than the pitting potential of ?0.64 V in the same solution. The pitting current density, i _p, increased with time after an incubation time, t _i. The double logarithmic plot of i _p and polarization time, t, reveal two straight lines, which are separated at the time, τ. The slope becomes larger after τ for the specimens anodized in the phosphate electrolyte, while it becomes smaller for those in the borate electrolyte. Both the t _i and τ increase with the thickness of the anodic films, and at the similar film thickness, they are much larger for the anodic films formed in the phosphate electrolyte than for those in the borate electrolyte. The corrosion process can be divided into three stages: the incubation period up to t _i, the pit nucleation period before τ, and the pit growth period after τ. We have discussed the different pitting corrosion behavior of the aluminum specimens covered with the anodic films formed in the borate and phosphate electrolytes in terms of ion selectivity of the anodic films.     

Effect of oxygen vacancies in anodic titanium oxide films on the kinetics of the oxygen electrode reaction

The effect of oxygen vacancies in the anodic oxide film on passive titanium on the kinetics of the oxygen electrode reaction has been studied by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Oxide films of different donor density were prepared galvanostatically at various current densities until a potential of 20.0 V_SHE was achieved. The semiconductive properties of the oxide films were characterized using EIS and Mott-Schottky analysis, and the thickness was measured using ellipsometry. The film thickness was found to be almost constant at ∼44.7 ± 2.0 nm, but Mott-Schottky analysis of the measured high frequency interracial capacitance showed that the donor (oxygen vacancy) density in the n-type passive film decreased sharply with increasing oxide film formation rate (current density). Passive titanium surfaces covering a wide range of donor density were used as substrates for ascertaining relationships between the rates of oxygen reduction/evolution and the donor density. These studies show that the rates of both reactions are higher for passive films having higher donor densities. Possible explanations include enhancement of the conductivity of the film due to the vacancies facilitating charge transfer and the surface oxygen vacancies acting as catalytic sites for the reactions. The possible involvement of surface oxygen vacancies in the oxygen electrode reaction was explored by determining the kinetic order of the OER with respect to the donor concentration. The kinetic orders were found to be greater than zero, indicating that oxygen vacancies are involved as electrocatalytic reaction centers in both the oxygen evolution and reduction reactions. This paper was submitted in honor of the many contributions to electrochemistry that have been made by Professor Boris Grafov. The article is published in the original.     

Medicago sativa as a green corrosion inhibitor for 1018 carbon steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution

A study on the use of the methanol extract of Medicago sativa as a green corrosion inhibitor for 1018 carbon steel in 0.5?M of sulfuric acid has been carried out by using potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and gravimetric tests. Testing temperatures were 25°C, 40°C and 60°C. Results showed that M. sativa is a good corrosion inhibitor, with its efficiency increasing with its concentration and with time, but decreasing with the temperature. M. sativa forms a passive film on top of the steel with a passive current density and pitting potential values lower than that for uninhibited solution, and remained on the steel for 8–12?h. This film formed by iron ions and heteroatoms present in OH^? and amine groups from the extract are adsorbed on the steel and form a protective film on to the steel.     

Ellipsometric study of anodic oxide films formed on niobium surfaces

Anodic oxide films formed potentiostatically on niobium surfaces, from open circuit potential (OCP) to 10 V, were studied by performing in situ and ex situ ellipsometric measurements. The kinetics of the film thickness growth in 1 M H₂SO₄ and complex indices of refraction of these films were determined. A strong influence of the surface preparation conditions on the complex refractive indices of the metal substrate and anodic oxide films was shown. By steady-state measurements at OCP, a small thickening of the natural air-formed oxide film with chemical composition Nb₂O₅ in 1 M H₂SO₄ solution was detected. With cathodic pre-treatment, only partial reduction and small thinning of the natural air-formed oxide film was possible. The thicknesses of the natural air-formed oxide films on fine mechanically polished and electropolished Nb surfaces were determined. The build up of the natural air-formed oxide film, at ex situ conditions, on the already formed anodic oxide films was confirmed. It was shown that electropolishing gives more similar optical surface properties to the bare metal than the fine mechanical polishing. Electronic Publication     

Capacitance and photocurrent study of electronic properties of anodic oxide films on Nb and Ta. Evaluation of the ionized donor concentration profile in Nb2O5 film

Electronic properties of electrochemically formed oxide films on Nb were studied by photocurrent and differential capacitance measurements in 0.025 M KH₂PO₄+0.025 M Na₂HPO₄ electrolyte, pH 6.9. Oxide films of n-type conductivity were formed galvanostatically for final potentials ranging from 4 to 230 V. Measurements were performed in two potential regions, which correspond to formation of a depleted layer of variable thickness at relatively low potentials, and to complete depletion of oxide films of electronic charge carriers at higher potentials. In the first potential region the behavior of both capacitance and photocurrent, was governed by a build up of a depleted layer of potential dependent thickness. In the second, high potential, region, which extends up to the oxide film formation potential, the photocurrent and capacitance of oxide films in most features followed the trends typical of dielectric films containing defects and traps. The photocurrent and capacitance measurements on presumably dielectric oxide films formed on Ta were staged for comparison. The capacitance–potential measurements performed in the first potential region enabled us to construct the ionized donor concentration profile across the Nb₂O₅ film width. The limitations on the use of the C–E profiling method for electrochemically formed oxide layers are considered.     

N80油套管钢钝化膜的光电化学性能

采用电容测试法研究了N80油套管钢在浓度为0.5 mol/L NaHCO3溶液中形成钝化膜的半导体性能,结合Mott-Schottky方程分析了测试频率,成膜电位和C l-浓度对钝化膜半导体性能的影响。电容测试结果表明,钝化膜呈n型半导体特性,Mott-Schottky曲线的斜率随着测试频率的增加、成膜电位的正移和溶液中氯离子浓度的增加而增加,相应地膜内的施主密度减小。光电化学实验结果表明,光电流强度随成膜电位的正移及成膜时间的延长而增加,这主要归功于高电位和长时间下所成的钝化膜具有比较均匀的组成,光激发所成的空位或电子在膜内的迁移率的增加。     

Pitting resistance of anodic passive films formed on 316L stainless steel in the concentrated artificial seawater

The pitting resistance of anodic passive films formed on 316L stainless steel was studied in the concentrated artificial seawater with the concentration ratio (c _R) ranged from 1.5 to 3 times under typical operation temperature condition of multi effect distillation (MED) by using the polarization curve and Mott-Schottky analysis. The pitting potential decreases linearly with the logarithm of c _R. The anodic passive films are characterized by both n- and p-type semiconductive behavior, i.e., a bilayer microstructure. The density values of defects (i.e. N _D and N _A) are in the range of 10²⁰ to 10²¹ cm^?3, and increase with c _R linearly. According to the point defect model (PDM), the increase of both Cl^? concentration and defect density N _D can facilitate the absorption of Cl^? ions in the passive films, which is mainly responsible for the deterioration of pitting resistance in the concentrated artificial seawater.     

Investigation on Electronic Property of Passive Film on Nickel in Bicarbonate/Carbonate Buffer Solution

The electronic properties of passive film formed on nickel in bicarbonate/carbonate buffer solution were studied by electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and Mott‐Schottky plot. The film composition was analyzed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that passive film exhibited p‐type semi‐conductive character, and the acceptor density (N_A) decreased with increasing potential, prolonging time, decreasing temperature, increasing pH value and decreasing chloride/sulfur ions concentration. The transfer resistance and film resistance increased with the above factors changing. XPS results showed that passive film was composed of NiO and a little amount of Ni₂O₃.     

Properties of foam films stabilized with tetraethylammonium perfluorooctane-sulfonate

Properties of single foam films prepared with tetraethylammonium perfluorooctane-sulfonate (TAPOS) were studied. Film thickness was measured as a function of NH₄Cl concentration in the film forming solution. The dependence of the film disjoining pressure versus the film thickness (disjoining pressure isotherms) and the mean lifetime of the films were studied. The dependence of the film thickness on the electrolyte concentration showed the presence of an electrostatic double layer at the film surfaces. The electrostatic double layer component of the disjoining pressure was screened at a NH₄Cl concentration higher than 0.2 M where Newton black films (NBFs) of 6 nm thickness were formed. These films are bilayers of amphiphile molecules and contain almost no free water. The disjoining pressure isotherms of the foam films formed with 0.001 M TAPOS were measured at two different NH₄Cl concentrations (0.005 and 0.0005 M). The Deryaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory describes well the isotherms with an electrostatic double layer potential of ∼140 mV. The mean lifetime, a measure of the stability of the NBFs, was measured depending on surfactant concentrations. The observation of NBF was possible above a minimum TAPOS concentration of 9.4 × 10⁻⁵ M. Above this concentration, the lifetime increases exponentially. The dependence of the film lifetime on surfactant concentration is explained by the theory for NBF-rupture by nucleation mechanism of formation of microscopic holes.     

The inhibition mechanism of pitting corrosion of pure aluminum by nitrate and sulfate ions in neutral chloride solution

The inhibition mechanism of pitting corrosion of natural oxide film-covered pure aluminum by NO⁻ ₃ and SO²⁻ ₄ ions has been examined in 0.1 M NaCl solution using potentiodynamic polarization experiments, a.c. impedance spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy and a combination of the potentiostatic current transient method and optical microscopy. It was found that NO⁻ ₃ ions can be incorporated into the natural oxide film on pure aluminum at open-circuit potential, but the incorporation of SO²⁻ ₄ ions into the film hardly occurs. The incorporation of NO⁻ ₃ ions lowered the pitting susceptibility of pure aluminum in 0.1 M NaCl solution. Based upon the experimental results, it is suggested that the pitting corrosion inhibition mechanism by anions can be classified into two different groups: inhibition by competitive adsorption of anions (SO²⁻ ₄) with Cl⁻ ions and inhibition by the incorporation of anions (NO⁻ ₃) into the film rather than competitive adsorption. Both cases may impede the incorporation of Cl⁻ ions into the film, thus inhibiting pitting corrosion of natural oxide film-covered pure aluminum in chloride solutions. Received: 16 October 1998 / Accepted: 6 January 1999