Breakdown of passive film on nickel in borate solutions containing halide anions

The effect of Cl⁻, Br⁻ and I⁻ anions as aggressive agents on the anodic behaviour of nickel electrode in deaerated Na₂B₄O₇ solutions have been investigated by galvanostatic polarization technique. Lower concentrations of the halide anions have no effect on the mechanism of nickel passivation. An increase in the halide anions concentration causes oscillation of the potential in the oxygen evolution region. This could be attributed to the destruction of the passivity by halide anions and repassivation of the film by anodic current and/or OH⁻ anions. Higher aggressive anion concentrations cause breakdown of the passive film and initiated pitting corrosion. As the temperature increases, the breakdown potential is shifted towards the more negative direction. On the other hand, as the pH of the solution increases, the breakdown potential is shifted toward more positive direction, indicating increased protection of the passive film. The activation energy, , of the oxide film formation in the presence of Cl⁻ anions was calculated and was found to be 21 kJ/mol.     

A study on the localized corrosion of cobalt in bicarbonate solutions containing halide ions

The localized attack of cobalt in bicarbonate aqueous solutions containing halide ions was investigated using electrochemical techniques, scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible and Raman spectroscopies. Rotating disc and rotating ring-disc electrodes were used to determine the effect of bicarbonate concentration, solution pH, nature and concentration of the halide ions, convection and potential sweep rate on the corrosion processes. These parameters were found to play a key role on the localized attack induced by halide ions by influencing the production of a Co(HCO₃)₂ precipitate on the pit surface. Potentiostatically generated cobalt oxide films (CoO and Co₃O₄) were found to be efficient to reduce pitting corrosion of cobalt.     

Long-term anticorrosion behaviour of polyaniline on mild Steel

Anticorrosion performances of polyaniline emeraldine base/epoxy resin (EB/ER) coating on mild steel in 3.5% NaCl solutions of various pH values were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for 150 days. In neutral solution (pH 6.1), EB/ER coating offered very efficient corrosion protection with respect to pure ER coating, especially when EB content was 5-10%. The impedance at 0.1 Hz of the coating increased in the first 1-40 immersion days and then remained constant above 10⁹ Ω·cm² until 150 days, which in combination with the observation of a Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄ passive film formed on steel confirmed that the protection of EB was mainly anodic. In acidic or basic solution (pH 1 or 13), EB/ER coating also performed much better than pure ER coating. However, these media weakened the corrosion resistance due to breakdown of the passive film or deterioration of the ER binder.     

Improvement of healing treatment with NaNO3 for a passivated iron electrode covered with an ultrathin polymer coating to prevent iron corrosion in some solutions containing aggressive anions

An ultrathin and ordered polymer coating was prepared on a passivated iron electrode by modification of a 16-hydroxyhexadecanoate ion self-assembled monolayer with 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (C₂H₅O)₃Si(CH₂)₂Si(OC₂H₅)₃ and octyltriethoxysilane C₈H₁₇Si(OC₂H₅)₃. Further, the passivated and polymer-coated electrode was healed by treatment in 1.0 M NaNO₃ for 4 h. Prevention of passive film breakdown and iron corrosion for the passivated, polymer-coated and healed electrode was examined by monitoring of the open-circuit potential and repeated polarization measurements in oxygenated 0.1 M KClO₄, 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ and 0.1 M NaCl for many hours. The values of the time for passive film breakdown, t_bd were >240, 22.2 and 9.5 h in these solutions, respectively. The protective efficiencies for the electrode were extremely high, more than 99.9% before t_bd, indicating complete protection of substrate iron against corrosion in these solutions, unless passive film breakdown occurred. The presence of on the passive surface by treatment in 1.0 M NaNO₃ was detected by X-ray photoelectron and FTIR reflection spectroscopies. The self-healing activity of adsorbed to suppress passive film breakdown was discussed.     

An ultrathin polymer coating of carboxylate self-assembled monolayer adsorbed on passivated iron to prevent iron corrosion in 0.1 M Na2SO4

For preparing an ultrathin two-dimensional polymer coating adsorbed on passivated iron, a 16-hydroxyhexadecanoate ion HO(CH₂)₁₅CO₂⁻ self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was modified with 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (C₂H₅O)₃Si(CH₂)₂Si(OC₂H₅)₃ and octadecyltriethoxysilane C₁₈H₃₇Si(OC₂H₅)₃. Protection of passivated iron against passive film breakdown and corrosion of iron was investigated by monitoring of the open-circuit potential and repeated polarization measurements in an aerated 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ solution during immersion for many hours. The time required for passive film breakdown of the polymer-coated electrode was markedly higher in this solution than that of the passivated one, indicating protection of the passive film from breakdown by coverage with the polymer coating. The protective efficiencies of the passive film covered with the coating were extremely high, more than 99.9% in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ before the passive film was broken down, showing prominent cooperative suppression of iron corrosion in the solution by coverage with the passive film and polymer coating. The polymer-coated surface was characterized by contact angle measurement and electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA). Prevention of passive film breakdown and iron corrosion for the polymer-coated electrode healed in 0.1 M NaNO₃ was also examined in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄.     

Protection of passivated iron against corrosion in a 0.1 M NaNO3 solution by coverage with an ultrathin polymer coating of carboxylate SAM

An ultrathin, ordered and two-dimensional polymer coating was prepared on passivated iron by modification of 16-hydroxyhexadecanoate ion HO(CH₂)₁₅CO₂⁻ self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (C₂H₅O)₃Si(CH₂)₂Si(OC₂H₅)₃ and octadecyltriethoxysilane C₁₈H₃₇Si(OC₂H₅)₃. Protection of passivated iron against passive film breakdown and corrosion of iron was examined by monitoring of the open-circuit potential and repeated polarization measurements in an aerated 0.1 M NaNO₃ solution during immersion for many hours. Passive film breakdown on the polymer-coated electrode in the solution was not observed during immersion for 480 h, whereas that of the passivated one occurred at 18.1 h, indicating protection of the passive film from breakdown by coverage with the polymer coating. The protective efficiencies of the passive film covered with the coating were extremely high, around 99.9% in the initial region of the immersion time up to 72 h and more than 98.3% thereafter, indicating prominent cooperative suppression of iron corrosion in 0.1 M NaNO₃ by coverage with the passive film and polymer coating. The polymer-coated surface was characterized by contact angle measurement and electron-probe microanalysis.     

Environmental factors affecting the corrosion behaviour of reinforcing steel. V. Role of chloride and sulphate ions in the corrosion of reinforcing steel in saturated Ca(OH)2 solutions

The corrosion behaviour of reinforcing steel in saturated naturally aerated Ca(OH)₂ solutions in absence and presence of different concentrations of NaCl, NH₄Cl, Na₂SO₄ and (NH₄)₂SO₄ is followed by measuring of the open circuit potential complemented with SEM and EDS investigation. These salts cause breakdown of passivity and initiation of pitting corrosion. The rates of oxide film thickening by OH⁻ ions and oxide film destruction by the aggressive ions follow a direct logarithm law and depend on the concentration and type of aggressive salts anions and cations. The values of the activation energies for oxide film thickening are calculated and discussed.     

The effect of chromate in the corrosion behavior of duplex stainless steel in LiBr solutions

The electrochemical behavior of duplex stainless steel (DSS) in LiBr media was investigated by anodic cyclic polarization curves and AC impedance measurements. The effect of bromide concentration and chromate presence in the solutions on the corrosion behavior of DSS was studied. It was found, by cyclic polarization curves analyses, that there was different pitting susceptibility of passive films formed on DSS depending on the chromate/bromide ratio: pitting corrosion susceptibility highly decreased from a chromate/bromide ratio lower than 0.01.The comparative investigations carried out in LiBr and LiBr + 0.032Li₂CrO₄ verify the assumption that the halide ions facilitate inhibitor adsorption. The addition of halides increased inhibition efficiency to a considerable extent. Passive film becomes more resistant when bromide concentration increases, although film thickness decreases.     

Prevention of passive film breakdown and corrosion of iron in 0.1 M KClO4 with and without Cl by covering with an ultrathin two-dimensional polymer coating and healing treatment in 0.1 M NaNO3

A two-dimensional polymer coating, the self-assembled monolayer of 16-hydroxy hexadecanoate ion HO(CH₂)₁₅ modified with 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (C₂H₅O)₃Si(CH₂)₂Si(OC₂H₅)₃ and octadecyltriethoxysilane C₁₈H₃₇Si(OC₂H₅)₃ was prepared on the passivated iron electrode and further, the passive film was healed by additional treatment in 0.1 M NaNO₃. This electrode was immersed in oxygenated 0.1 M KClO₄ solutions with and without 1 × 10⁻⁴ to 1 × 10⁻² M of Cl⁻. Protection of passive film against breakdown by covering the electrode with the polymer coating was examined by monitoring the open-circuit potential during immersion in the solutions for many hours to determine the time for passive film breakdown, t_bd. Repeated polarization measurements were carried out during immersion in these solutions for obtaining the protective efficiency, P. The t_bd value of the passivated, polymer-coated and healed electrode in 0.1 M KClO₄ solutions with and without Cl⁻ increased with a decrease in the concentration of Cl⁻. No breakdown occurred on the electrode during immersion in 0.1 M KClO₄ solutions with and without 1 × 10⁻⁴ of Cl⁻ for 360 h. The P values were extremely high, more than 99.9% before t_bd, indicating complete protection of iron from corrosion. The effect of healing treatment in 0.1 M NaNO₃ on passive film breakdown was investigated by electron-probe microanalysis.     

Protection of passivated iron from corrosion in 0.1 M KClO4 with and without Cl by coverage with a two-dimensional polymer film of carboxylate ion self-assembled monolayer

A film of two-dimensional polymer was prepared on an iron electrode passivated in a borate buffer solution at pH 8.49, derivatized with 16-hydroxyhexadecanoate ion and then modified with 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (C₂H₅O)₃Si(CH₂)₂Si(OC₂H₅)₃ and octadecyltriethoxysilane C₁₈H₃₇Si(OC₂H₅)₃. The protective ability of the polymer film adsorbed on passivated iron was examined by polarization measurement in oxygenated 0.1 M KClO₄ solutions with and without 1 × 10⁻⁴ and 1 × 10⁻³ M of Cl⁻. The values of the open-circuit potential, E_oc were monitored with the immersion time, t in these solutions. The E_oc value of the passivated electrode in 0.1 M KClO₄ was maintained high, more than −0.2 V/SCE in the initial region of t up to 10 h, indicating the presence of a passive film on the electrode. Thereafter, E_oc decreased to −0.4 V/SCE abruptly, exhibiting breakdown of the passive film. The value of the passivated electrode covered with the polymer film remained almost constant around −0.04 V/SCE during immersion for 45 h. The protective efficiency, P (%) of the polymer film on passivated iron was extremely high, more than 99.9% unless the passive film was broken down, indicating complete protection of iron against corrosion. The times for breakdown on the passivated electrode and polymer-coated one diminished with an increase in the concentration of Cl⁻. The polymer-coated surface was analyzed by electron-probe microanalysis after immersion in 0.1 M KClO₄ for 24 h.     

Electrochemical study on hot corrosion of Si-modified aluminide coated In-738LC in Na2SO4-20 wt.% NaCl melt at 750 °C

The corrosion performance of the slurry Si-modified aluminide coating on the nickel base superalloy In-738LC exposed to low temperature hot corrosion condition has been investigated in Na₂SO₄-20 wt.% NaCl melt at 750 °C by combined use of the anodic polarization and characterization techniques.The coated specimen showed a passive behavior up to −0.460 V vs. Ag/AgCl (0.1 mol fraction) reference electrode, followed by a rapid increase in anodic current due to localized attack in the higher potential region. In the passive region, the anodic dissolution of constituents of the coating occurred through the passive film, probably SiO₂, at slow rate of 20-30 μA/cm². The passive current for the Si-modified coating was two orders of magnitude smaller than that for bare In-738LC, which is known as Cr₂O₃ former in this melt. This indicates that the SiO₂ film is chemically more stable than Cr₂O₃ film under this condition. However, pitting-like corrosion commenced around −0.460 V and proceeded at the high rate of 100 mA/cm² in the higher potential region than +0.400 V. The corrosion products formed on the coating polarized in different anodic potentials were characterized by SEM, EDS and XRD. It was found from the characterization that oxidation was dominant attack mode and no considerable sulfidation occurred at 750 °C. The SiO₂ oxide was not characterized in the passive region because the thickness of the passive film was extremely thin, but was detected as the primary oxide in the localized corrosion region, where the selective oxidation of Al was observed by further progress of the corrosion attack front into the inner layer of coating.     

Development of anodic coatings on aluminium under sparking conditions in silicate electrolyte

Spark anodizing of aluminium at 5 A dm⁻² in sodium metasilicate/potassium hydroxide electrolytes is studied, with particular emphasis on the mechanism of coating growth, using transmission electron microscopy and surface analytical techniques, with coatings typically 10 μm, or more, thick. Two-layered coatings develop by deposition of an outer layer based on amorphous silica, associated with low levels of alkali-metal species, at the coating surface and growth of an inner, mainly alumina-based, layer, with an amorphous region next to the metal/coating interface. Formation of crystalline phases in the inner layer, mainly γ-Al₂O₃, with some α-Al₂O₃ and occasional δ-Al₂O, is assisted by local heating, and possibly also by ionic migration processes, arising from the rapid coating growth at sites of breakdown. Due to local access of electrolyte species in channels created by breakdown events, the silicon content in the inner coating regions varies widely, ranging from negligible levels to about 10 at.%. Silica deposition at the coating surface and formation of Al₂SiO₅ and Al₆Si₂O₁₃ phases is promoted by increased time of anodizing and concentration of metasilicate in the electrolyte. However, at sufficiently high concentration of metasilicate and pH, when more extreme voltage fluctuations accompany breakdown, the two-layered nature of coatings is replaced by a mixture of aluminium-rich and silicon-rich regions throughout the coating thickness.     

Formation and breakdown of surface films on magnesium and its alloys in aqueous solutions

The influences of surface films formed by open-circuit exposure to neutral solutions on the corrosion and electrochemical behaviour of pure Mg and Mg alloys have been examined by in situ ellipsometric analysis and electrochemical measurements. Surface films mainly composed of Mg(OH)₂ grew rapidly during open-circuit exposure to 0.1 M NaCl and 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ solutions. These films had protective ability to passivate Mg in the solutions. However, they suffered local breakdown under anodic polarisation. The passive current density decreased and the breakdown potential increased with increasing immersion time and film thickness. Influences of purity and alloying elements on the passivity and its breakdown of Mg have been discussed.     

Passivity breakdown on AISI Type 403 stainless steel in chloride-containing borate buffer solution

Passivity breakdown on AISI Type 403 stainless steel (SS), a commonly employed blade alloy in low pressure steam turbines, has been studied and the data are interpreted in terms of the point defect model (PDM). The near normal distribution in breakdown potential measured in deaerated borate buffer solution (pH = 8.1 ± 0.1) with different chloride concentrations is in satisfactory agreement with the quantitative characterization of the breakdown potential distribution using the PDM. The linear dependence of breakdown potential on the square root of potential scan rate (υ^1/2), as predicted by the PDM, yields an estimate of the critical areal concentration of condensed vacancies at the metal/film interface (ξ < 7.0 × 10¹⁴ cm⁻²) that leads to passivity breakdown. This is in excellent agreement with that calculated from the unit cell dimensions of the substrate Fe-Cr alloy (ξ ≈ 10¹⁵ cm⁻²) and the barrier layer oxide (Cr₂O₃) (ξ ≈ 10¹⁴ cm⁻²) for vacancy condensation on the alloy lattice or on the cation sublattice, respectively, of the film. These provide convincing evidences for the validity of the PDM for modeling passivity breakdown on Type 403 SS.     

Direct modification of a passivated iron electrode with alkyltriethoxysilanes for preventing passive film breakdown in a borate buffer containing 0.1 M of chloride ion

A passive film on an iron electrode was modified with alkyltriethoxysilanes directly. In order to examine the protective ability of the modified passive film against breakdown, the pitting potential, E_pit was measured by anodic polarization of the modified electrode in a borate buffer solution (pH 8.49) containing 0.1 M of Cl⁻. The value of E_pit for the modified electrode shifted in the positive direction from that of the unmodified electrode, indicating prevention of passive film breakdown. The modified passive film was not broken down in the passive and transpassive regions of polarization curve in some cases. However, many current spikes appeared in the all curves of the modified electrodes. The modified surface of passivated electrode was characterized by X-ray photoelectron and FTIR reflection spectroscopies and contact angle measurement. There were defects and clusters of associated water within the modified film and hence, Cl⁻ could permeate through the defects, leading to appearance of current spikes and occurrence of breakdown.     

Oxide film formation on zinc in borate solutions under open circuit

The open circuit potentials of Zn electrode were followed as a function of time in different concentration of Na₂B₄O₇ solution until steady-state, E_st., values were attained. The potential shifts immediately towards positive values, indicating film thickening and repair. The rate of oxide film thickening was determined from the linear relationship between the open circuit potential, E, of the Zn electrode and the logarithm of immersion time t as E = a₁ + b₁ log t. The liner plots consist of two segments indicating the duplex nature of the formed oxide film on the Zn surface. The final steady- state potential, E_st., varied with the logarithm of molar concentration of Na₂B₄O₇ solution according to: E_st. = a₂ − b₂ log C_Na2B4O7. The effect of rising pH and temperature was also studied. It was found that the rising of pH and temperature of the solution affect on the rate of oxide film thickening and the final steady- state potential.     

Influence of silicate ions on the formation of goethite from green rust in aqueous solution

We investigated the influence of silicate ions on the formation of goethite converted from hydroxysulphate green rust, which was synthesized by neutralizing mixted solution of Fe₂(SO₄)₃ and FeSO₄ with NaOH solution, by O₂ in an aqueous solution. The pH and oxidation-reduction potential of the suspension and the Fe and Si concentrations in supernatant solutions were analyzed. X-ray diffraction results for the solid particles formed during the conversion were consistent with the results of the solution analyses. The results indicated that silicate ions suppressed the conversion from green rust to α-FeOOH and distorted the linkages of FeO₆ octahedral units in the α-FeOOH structure.     

Prevention of passive film breakdown on iron in a borate buffer solution containing chloride ion by coverage with a self-assembled monolayer of hexadecanoate ion

Breakdown of a passive film on iron in a borate buffer solution (pH 8.49) containing 0.1 M of Cl⁻ was suppressed by coverage of the passive film surface with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of hexadecanoate ion C₁₅H₃₁CO₂⁻ (C₁₆A⁻). The pitting potential of an iron electrode previously passivated in the borate buffer at 0.50 V/SCE increased by treatment in an aqueous solution of sodium hexadecanoate for many hours, indicating protection of the passive film from breakdown caused by an attack on defects of the film with Cl⁻. No breakdown occurred over the potential range of the passive region by coverage with the SAM of C₁₆A⁻ in some cases. Structures of the passive film and the monolayer were characterized by X-ray photoelectron and Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopies and contact angle measurement with a drop of water.     

Influence of Zn injection on characteristics of oxide film on 304 stainless steel in borated and lithiated high temperature water

The oxide film on 304 stainless steel exposed to the hydrothermal environments at 573.15 K up to 20 days without/with 10 ppb Zn injection has been investigated ex situ by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). ZnFe₂O₄ and ZnCr₂O₄ were found to be formed in the oxide film at the initial stage of immersion by substitution reaction between Zn²⁺ and Fe²⁺, and ZnCr₂O₄ became dominant after long-term immersion. The calculations of potential-pH diagrams, solubilities and crystallographic features of spinels have been done to evaluate the oxide film structure and the inhibition mechanism caused by Zn injection.     

Corrosion prevention of passivated iron in 0.1 M NaCl by coverage with an ultrathin polymer coating and healing treatment in 0.1 M NaNO3

An ultrathin, ordered and two-dimensional polymer coating was prepared on a passivated iron electrode by modification of 16-hydroxyhexadecanoate ion HO(CH₂)₁₅CO₂⁻ self-assembled monolayer with 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (C₂H₅O)₃Si(CH₂)₂Si(OC₂H₅)₃ and octadecyltriethoxysilane C₁₈H₃₇Si(OC₂H₅)₃. Subsequently, the electrode was healed in 0.1 M NaNO₃. Protection of passivated iron against passive film breakdown and corrosion of iron was examined by monitoring of the open-circuit potential and repeated polarization measurements of the polymer-coated and healed electrode in an aerated 0.1 M NaCl solution during immersion for many hours. Localized corrosion was markedly prevented by coverage with the polymer coating and the healing treatment in 0.1 M NaNO₃. Prominent protection of iron from corrosion in 0.1 M NaCl was observed before the breakdown occurred. The electrode surface covered with the healed passive film and polymer coating was analyzed by contact angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron-probe microanalysis.