Effects of an applied magnetic field on the dissolution and passivation of iron in sulphuric acid

The effects of an applied magnetic field (MF) on the electrochemical state, anodic dissolution and passivation of iron in sulphuric acid solution were studied by potentiodynamic scanning polarisation measurements, potentiostatic polarisation measurements and scanning electron microscopy observation. The magnetic field reduced the fractional surface film coverage on the electrode by enhancing the film dissolution process. This made the electrode prone to active dissolution. With increasing applied potentials the magnetic field accelerated the anodic dissolution at relatively low potentials, changed the oscillation or passivation to permanent active dissolution at intermediate potentials, and maintained the passive state at high potentials. Potentials for the onset of passivation moved in the noble direction when the magnetic field was imposed. An electrode kinetics formulation for the effects of the magnetic field on the dissolution and passivation is proposed. In the presence of a magnetic field and at specific anodic potentials, scalloping occurred due to accelerated localized dissolution. The scalloping areas were on both sides of the electrode and oriented parallel to the direction of the earth’s gravitation field. The ratios of the scalloping area caused by a 0.4 T magnetic field on the whole electrode surface were 0.69 (at 200 mV), 0.66 (at 350 mV) and 0.75 (at 400 mV), respectively. In contrast, uniform electrode surfaces were observed at these anodic potentials in the absence of the magnetic field. Uneven dissolution of iron in the presence of a magnetic field was related to the relative configuration between the magnetic field direction and the electrode surface and also to the special concentration gradient of reactive species at the electrode circumferential area.     

In situ monitoring the effects of a magnetic field on the open-circuit corrosion states of iron in acidic and neutral solutions

The effects of a 0.4 T horizontal magnetic field (HMF) on the open-circuit corrosion states of iron in static aqueous solutions are studied by in situ monitoring the responses of two electrochemical parameters to the applied magnetic field, i.e. the open-circuit potential (OCP) and the current under potentiostatic polarization. The applied magnetic field makes the OCP shift in the noble direction. Withdrawing the magnetic field causes a negative shift of the OCP in acidic solutions, but it does not cause any significant change of OCP in neutral solutions. Imposing a magnetic field induces a cathodic current for iron that was previously potentiostatically polarized at the OCP without magnetic field. Withdrawing the magnetic field induces an anodic current for iron that was previously potentiostatically polarized at the OCP with the magnetic field. The magnetic field effect is more significant in the acid solutions than in the salt solutions. The magnetic field effects on the oxygen reduction and on the activation-controlled iron dissolution reaction are found to be insignificant. The magnetic field effect on the hydrogen reduction reaction on iron in acidic solutions is demonstrated. Results show the possibility that a magnetic field would affect the hydrogen evolution by enhancing the electron-transfer process that has been categorized in the classical electrochemistry kinetics to be the rate-determining process. The memory effect of the magnetic field on the electrochemical reaction is identified and discussed.     

Effects of a magnetic field on the anodic dissolution, passivation and transpassivation behaviour of iron in weakly alkaline solutions with or without halides

The effects of a 0.4 T horizontal magnetic field on the anodic dissolution, passivation and transpassivation behaviour of iron in bicarbonate solutions of various concentrations and in dilute bicarbonate solutions with or without halides are investigated by electrochemical polarisation measurements. The applied magnetic field does not affect the activation-controlled anodic current, the steady passive current and the transpassive current, but significantly affects the activation-passivation transition processes for iron in bicarbonate solutions without halides. The effects of magnetic field are strongly dependent on passivation mechanisms that result in different types of surface films and corresponding rate determining steps of film dissolution. There is a synergistic effect between the applied magnetic field and halides, chlorides or bromides, on attacking the passivation of iron in dilute bicarbonate solutions. The effects of the magnetic field are analysed based on the previously proposed electrochemical kinetics equations. The magnetic field affects the anodic polarisation behaviour through its enhancing effects on mass transport processes at the precipitation-dissolution type surface film/solution interfaces. The magnetic field shows little or no effects on continuous and steady passivation films where the oxidation rate is controlled by mass transport processes within surface films. Magnetoelectrochemistry measurements are suggested as a prospective method for researches on corrosion or passivation mechanisms.     

Effect of a direct magnetic field on the interfacial microstructure between molten aluminium and solid iron

Many processing techniques, such as hot dip aluminizing, bimetal formation, liquid metal corrosion, cementing, welding and diffusion bonding, are basically dependent on interfacial reactions [1-3]. It is therefore important to investigate the formation and growth of intermetallic layers at the interface. There have been several studies carried out to examine chemical compositions and growth kinetics of intermetallic layers in the Al-Fe system [4-9]. Most authors have come to an agreement that…     

Effect of high gradient magnetic fields on the anodic behaviour and localized corrosion of iron in sulphuric acid solutions

The influence of high gradient magnetic fields on the anodic dissolution of iron in sulphuric acid solutions and the localization of the corrosion attack is investigated by means of potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization experiments and subsequent surface profile analysis. A localization of the material loss is observed in every potential region of the anodic Fe dissolution except from the passive region. The impact of the magnetic field on the anodic current density and the localization of the corrosion attack are explained by the action of the Lorentz force and the magnetic field gradient force.     

Quantum chemistry study on the effect of Cl ion on anodic dissolution of iron in H2S-containing sulfuric acid solutions

The effect of Cl⁻ ion on the anodic dissolution of iron in H₂SO₄ solutions containing low H₂S level has been studied by electrochemical polarization curve measurements. The total energy and binding energy of the competitive adsorption for Cl⁻ and HS⁻ ions have been calculated with CNDO/2 method, as well as the net charge distribution of iron atoms at an anodic potential. The results showed that certain concentration of Cl⁻ ion inhibit the anodic reaction of iron accelerated by HS⁻. However, when Cl⁻ ion reached saturated adsorption, it began to promote the anodic reaction of iron due to the increased negative charge of iron atoms.