Portugaliae
Electrochimica Acta

The inhibition efficiency of sodium gluconate (SG)–Zn2+ system in controlling corrosion of carbon steel in sea water has been evaluated by weight-loss method. The formulation consisting of 250 ppm of SG and 75 ppm of Zn2+ has 98% IE. Influence of duration of immersion on the IE of SG-Zn2+ has been evaluated. The mechanistic aspects of corrosion inhibition have been investigated by polarization study and AC impedance spectra. The protective film has been analysed by FTIR and luminescence spectra. The surface morphology and the roughness of the metal surface have been analysed by atomic force microscopy. The protective film consists of Fe2+ - SG complex and Zn(OH)2. It is found to be UV – fluorescent.

Metal matrix composites are heterogeneous systems containing matrix and reinforcement. Their physical and mechanical properties can be tailored according to requirement. They are used in automobile, aircraft and marine industries because of their increased corrosion resistance. In this paper weight loss corrosion test, open circuit potential test and potentiostat test are conducted on AL6061/ Red Mud metal matrix composites in different concentrated neutral chloride solutions like sodium chloride solutions. Composites are prepared by liquid melt metallurgy technique using vortex method. Composites containing 2, 4 and 6 percent of red mud are prepared according to ASTM standards. Specimens are machined and made ready by standard metallographic methods. Weight loss corrosion studies, open circuit potential studies and potentiostat studies, are carried out in 0.035, 0.35 and 3.5% solutions of sodium chloride. The corrosion rate decreases with increase in the exposure time for all specimens in all corrodents in all the methods of testing. Corrosion rate also decreases with the increase in reinforcement content of the composites. Hence the composites can be used for the manufacture of the equipments used in marine environment so that they lost long.

Based on the energy form waste concepts we present here our results of the study of utilizing waste tea dust for preparing carbon, called the biocarbon. Tea dust after decocting has been selected as a low cost source of producing the carbon. Un-activated and activated carbons are produced by heating the tea waste around 250 oC for 2 h. For the first time, boric acid (H3BO3) has been reported through this work as a chemical agent for activating the selected biowaste. After physical characterization, the biocarbons have been tested in 3M KOH electrolyte solution for the possible application as electrodes in electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs). Cyclic voltammetric studies with boric acid activated carbon of tea show slight improvement in the capacitance values over un-activated tea derived carbon. The study suggests that boric acid may be used as an activating agent for producing activated carbons.

The degradation of Acid Red I dye (ARI) and Luganil Blue N (LBN) has been studied by electrochemical treatment methods. The efficiency of cathode materials such as platinum, copper, zinc, lead, graphite, nickel, steel and titanium metals on the degradation of Luganil Blue N and Acid Red I dyes were investigated. The suitable cathode material was chosen and other parameters such as current density, and NaCl and dye concentrations were optimized. The electrolysis process was monitored by UV-Vis spectrophotometer and measuring chemical oxygen demand of the electrolyzed solutions. The overall COD removal efficiencies reached as high as 74.24% and 87% for ARI and LBN, respectively.

The chemical reaction of rhodamine B by electro-generated species using Pt and BDD electrodes was performed. The product(s) of this chemical reaction are related to the supporting electrolyte and electrolysis time. The rate of discoloration is affected by the current density, initial pH, temperature, and the nature of the supporting electrolyte. However, the initial dye concentration and the ionic strength did not show any significant effect on both electrodes. Discoloration of the dye and mineralization were not observed in presence of sulfate and nitrate with the Pt electrode, but occurred slowly with the BDD electrode. In the presence of KCl and KBr, the discoloration was very fast with both electrodes, and was accompanied with partial degradation. In the presence of KCl, the colorless rhodamine B solution turned rose after several hours of being set at rest.