Initial Stages of the Copper Corrosion in Sulfite-Containing Solutions

The initial stages of the formation of phase layers at a copper electrode in solutions containing sulfate and sulfite ions are investigated by the method of quartz microweighing. It is found that the growth of a layer in acidic and neutral solutions proceeds in conformity with a parabolic law. The composition of the surface layer is investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The main component of the layer is found to be Cu₂O. In sulfite-containing solutions, an insoluble sulfite compound of Cu⁺ is also included in the layer.