Electrochemical anticorrosion performance evaluation of Al2O3 coatings deposited by MOCVD on an industrial brass substrate

Alumina (Al₂O₃) coatings of different thickness were deposited on OT59 brass substrate (BS) using the metal organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) technique to evaluate the corrosion performance by EIS measurements. The used precursor was dimethyl-aluminium-isopropoxide. Electrochemical characterizations of the deposited films were performed in a standard very aggressive acidic solution (aerated 1N H₂SO₄ at 25 °C up to 168 h of immersion time) by means of direct current method (Tafel curves) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS) indicated that the films are very pure with the correct Al₂O₃ stoichiometry, while the IR absorption spectra showed that the films did not contain any OH groups. The surface film morphology was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and displayed a globular texture. The films were very smooth, with a maximum root mean square roughness, for example, of 14 nm for a 0.96 μm thick coating. The EIS data confirmed, as expected, that a 2.40 μm Al₂O₃ layer ensures the best corrosion protection after 168 h of immersion in the very acidic environment used.     

超声谐振器在传感器测距中应用分析

设计一种超声谐振器,旨在解决超声传感器远程测距中因超声波能量分散和衰减过快导致的回波信号难以识别问题。首先,根据声学理论分析了超声谐振器可以通过改善阻抗匹配提高其辐射效率;再利用Bessel函数分析了超声谐振器影响声源指向性的重要设计参数,通过改变声源频率、谐振器开口面积等设计参数可以使指向性尖锐,能量更集中。Matlab仿真计算与相应的实验均证明了理论分析的正确性和优化谐振器设计参数对提高超声探测距离的有效性与可控性。     

Passivation and pitting corrosion of nanostructured Sn-Ni alloy in NaCl solutions

The passivation and pitting corrosion of tin-nickel alloy (34% Ni-66% Sn) in NaCl solution was studied using potentiodynamic, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques complemented by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of concentration of the chloride ion, the switching potential, scans rate and pH on the electrochemical behavior of Sn-Ni alloy is discussed. The data indicate that the corrosion rate and the pitting corrosion of Sn-Ni alloy increases by the increasing of chloride ion concentration. The observed corrosion resistance of electrodeposited Sn-Ni alloy is due to the formation of a thin passive film from tin and nickel oxides.     

纳米二氧化硅-有机硅复合涂层防护性能的研究

利用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)技术对纳米二氧化硅含量为5%的有机硅复合涂层的防护性能进行了研究,试验结果与有机硅清漆涂层和微米二氧化硅含量为5%的有机硅复合涂层的实验结果进行了比较。结果表明,纳米氧化硅粒子的填加有效的阻挡侵蚀介质的渗透和腐蚀,纳米氧化硅-有机硅复合涂层比有机硅清漆涂层和微米二氧化硅-有机硅复合涂层具有更好的防护性能。     

Effect of steel microfibers on corrosion of steel reinforcing bars

Steel microfiber reinforcement was previously found to be successful in mitigating alkali silica reaction in concrete, an expansive phenomenon. The use of steel microfibers to mitigate rebar corrosion, another expansive reaction, was investigated. Mortar specimens with and without steel microfiber reinforcement were exposed to a corrosive environment. All specimens were prepared with water/cement ratios of both 0.40 and 0.55, cured for 28 days, and then submerged in aerated 3.5% NaCl solution. The corrosion behavior of the specimens was monitored via electrochemical measurements. Three types of electrochemical tests were performed: corrosion potential measurements, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Chloride concentration measurements and microscopic analysis were performed as well. The polarization curves, Tafel, and polarization resistance measurements indicate that the steel rebar in the microfiber-reinforced mortars are more resistant to corrosion than the rebar in the control mortars, despite higher chloride concentrations. Furthermore, the steel microfiber-reinforced cement based materials have a lower electrolytic resistance. This is not indicative of a higher corrosion rate, which would be the case if it had been observed in standard mortar specimens.     

Exploring single electrode reactions in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Utilising a pseudo-reference electrode in polymer electrolyte fuel cells allows for the separation of anodic and cathodic contributions to the entire cell impedance. Modelling the impedance responses by using equivalent circuits inhibits the investigation of kinetic parameters of the basic electrochemical reactions, which take place at single electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Therefore, we evaluate single electrode impedance measurements by a kinetic model, which is based on specific reaction pathways, either for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). As a consequence, it is possible to obtain kinetic parameters for the specific reaction of interest. Furthermore, the information gained from the single electrode impedance measurements and the kinetic model can give insight into single reactions steps. In particular, the ORR has to include a chemical step in the reaction pathway.     

Preliminary evaluation of the anticorrosive properties of aircraft coatings by electrochemical methods

Strict regulations concerning the content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals (Cr⁶⁺) in aircraft coating systems have increased the economic burden of the United States Air Force (USAF) in the area of coating maintenance. To this end, it is critical to have methods to characterize new coating systems in such a manner that the data can be used to predict accurately and reliably the expected lifetime of the coatings in service. Electrochemical noise method (ENM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are two techniques used to monitor extent and rate of corrosion. The USAF is currently employing these methods in order to supplement data acquired from traditional salt-spray methods. ENM and EIS are used to evaluate each component of the coating system and its contribution to corrosion prevention. Preliminary evaluations of an aircraft coating system on aluminum substrate (Al 2024-T3) produces resistance noise values of 10⁶ to 10⁷ Ω/cm². It is hoped that these results will form the basis of coatings that give increased USAF fleet service life and reduction in maintenance manpower and materials costs.     

A study of PtRuO2 catalysts thermally formed on titanium mesh for methanol oxidation

Platinum-based catalysts, for the electro-oxidation of methanol, have been made by thermal decomposition of chloride precursors onto titanium mesh. The catalysed electrodes were successfully operated in acidic methanol electrolytes. Electrochemical characterisation has been carried out using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic polarisations. A complete analysis of the electrochemical results showed that the preliminary performance of the catalysed titanium mesh was comparable to that achieved with carbon-supported PtRu catalysts. The catalysts formed on titanium mesh by thermal decomposition also exhibited dimensional stability. Catalysed titanium mesh therefore appears to be a promising alternative to carbon-supported catalysts for certain fuel cell applications.     

Polyaniline for corrosion prevention of mild steel coupled with copper

Polyaniline emeraldine base/epoxy resin (EB/ER) coating was investigated for corrosion protection of mild steel coupled with copper in 3.5% NaCl solution. EB/ER coating with 5-10 wt% EB had long-term corrosion resistance on both uncoupled steel and copper due to the passivation effect of EB on the metal surfaces. During the 150 immersion days, the impedance at 0.1 Hz for the coating increased in the first 1-40 days and subsequently remained constant above 10⁹ Ω cm², whereas that for pure ER coating fell below 10⁶ Ω cm² after only 30 or 40 days. Immersion tests on coated steel-copper galvanic couple showed that EB/ER coating offered 100 times more protection than ER coating against steel dissolution and coating delamination on copper, which was mainly attributed to the passive metal oxide films formed by EB blocking both the anodic and cathodic reactions. Salt spray tests showed that 100 μm EB/ER coating protected steel-copper couple for at least 2000 h.     

Enhanced corrosion prevention effect of polysulfone–clay nanocomposite materials prepared by solution dispersion

A series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials containing polysulfone (PSF) and layered MMT clay were successfully prepared by effectively dispersing inorganic nanolayers of MMT clay in an organic PSF matrix via a solution dispersion technique. The synthesized PCN materials were subsequently investigated with a series of characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The prepared PCN coatings with low clay loading (1 wt %) on cold‐rolled steel (CRS) were found to be superior in corrosion prevention to those of bulk PSF, based on a series of electrochemical measurements of corrosion potential, polarization resistance, corrosion current and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a 5 wt % aqueous NaCl electrolyte. The effects of material composition on the molecular barrier, mechanical strength and optical clarity of PSF and PCN materials, in the form of membranes, was also studied by molecular permeability analysis (GPA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and UV‐Visible transmission spectra, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 631–637, 2004