Electrochemical evaluation of the synergistic effect of molybdate tungstate inhibitor mixtures in chloride ion medium and effect of Cl− ion on inhibition efficiency of molybdate

It is well known to corrosion community about chromates and nitrates which are widely used as corrosion inhibitors. However, it is also well known that these inhibitors are oxidizing inhibitors of which chromates are carcinogenic also. Therefore, use of non toxic inhibitors such as molybdate and tungstate are gaining importance. AC impedance analysis of mild steel panels exposed to 3% NaCl containing 6000 ppm molybdate, 5000 ppm molybdate + 1000 ppm tungstate, 3000 ppm molybdate + 3000 ppm tungstate, 1000 ppm molybdate + 5000 ppm tungstate, 6000 ppm tungstate were evaluated. The impedance studies were carried out for different durations viz. 1 hour, 1 day and 7 days. From impedance analysis, it is clear that molybdate and tungstate are not forming any promising synergistic mixtures. The effect of chloride ion concentration viz. 0.01M, 0.05M, 0.1M, 0.3M and 0.6M on inhibition efficiency of molybdate has been discussed. Addition of small amount of tungstate along with molybdate enhances long term film stability on mild steel. It has been found that the inhibition effect is decreasing with increase in concentration up to 0.1M and on further increase in concentration viz. 0.3M and 0.6M, an increase in inhibition efficiency was observed. It has been found that deaeration negatively affected the film properties and did not form a stable film. The corrosion products formed were analyzed using Mössbauer spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy, which showed the presence of oxyhydroxides.