Hydrogen penetration rates of iron. Effect of halide ions,hydrogen sulfide and hexynol

The effect of the halides (Cl^?, Br^? and I^?) on the rates of the hydrogen evolution reaction (h. E. R.) and hydrogen penetration (h. P.) of iron in H₂SO₄ is determined. The H. E. R. and H. P. of Fe in these same electrolytes with the addition of H₂S are also studied. The inhibition of corrosion and h. p. in the H₂S environment by hexynol are compared. With halide addition her., i_corr and h. p. decreased in the following order, Cl^?> Br^?> I^?. H₂S catalyzed both the h. e. r. and h. p. The catalytic activity does not appear dependent on the H₂S concentration for the H. E. R. but does for H. P. The fraction of hydrogen generated which is absorbed by Fe is greater during corrosion when a new surface is formed continuously than during cathodic polarization. The addition of the acetylenic alcohol, hexynol, in H₂SO₄ containing H₂S and halides inhibited the h. e. r. corrosion and h. p.