The influence of surface adsorption of benzotriazole (BTAH) and of chloride ions (Cl-) on the kinetics of copper electrodeposition/dissolution in copper sulfate solutions and on copper deposit characteristics have been investigated using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) combined with cyclic voltammetry (CV). The addition of BTAH alone increases the overpotential of copper deposition, whereas a Cu(I)BTA complex forms at potentials higher than 0.08 V (vs. SCE) accompanied with the occurrence of copper anodic dissolution. With simultaneous addition of BTAH and Cl-, surface adsorption of Cl- competes with that of BTAH during the initial stage of copper nucleation. Different cuprous reaction intermediates form in the examined potential range -0.4 to 0.3 V (vs. SCE), which partly eliminate the favorable effect of BTAH on the deposited copper. A BTAH-containing adsorbed layer formed on the matte side of electrodeposited copper film in the presence of BTAH with or without Cl-, exhibiting a barrier surface property and an improved corrosion resistance compared with the copper film electrodeposited in the electrolyte without addition of BTAH.

Accelerated NVDA (VDA 233-102) tests were performed on bare Zn and Al sheets, Galfan coating (Zn-5 wt-% Al) and Galvalume coating (Zn-55 wt-% Al) on steel. ZnO, Zn(OH)(2) and Zn-5(OH)(8)Cl-2 center dot H2O were the main corrosion products identified on both bare Zn sheet and Galfan. AlOOH and Al(OH)(3) were preferentially formed on bare Al sheet and Galvalume. In addition, Zn-Al-containing corrosion products, Zn6Al2(OH)(16)CO3 center dot 4H(2)O and/or Zn2Al(OH)(6)Cl center dot 2H(2)O were identified on both Galfan and Galvalume. Corrosion products of Zn6Al2(OH)(16)CO3 center dot 4H(2)O with a platelet morphology were preferentially formed in the zinc-rich interdendritic regions of the Galvalume surface. Galfan revealed a similar corrosion behaviour as bare Zn sheet, whereas Galvalume exhibited similar behaviour as bare Al sheet. Deposition of chlorides highly influenced the corrosion of both Galvalume and Al rather than Galfan and Zn due to the rapid local damage of the compact native thin film of Al2O3.

In this work, first-principle density functional theory (DFT) was used to calculate the work function and Volta potential differences between aluminum alloy matrix and two intermetallic phases (Mg2Si and Al2Cu) with varying surface terminations as a function of adhering monolayers (ML) of water. The calculated data were compared with experimental local Volta potential data obtained by the scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) on a commercial aluminum alloy AA6063-T5 in atmospheric environments with varying relative humidity (RH). The calculations suggest that the surface termination has a major effect on the magnitude and polarity of the Volta potential of both intermetallic phases (IMP's). The Volta potential difference between the IMP's and the aluminum matrix decreases when the surface is gradually covered by water molecules, and may further change as a function of adhering ML's of water. This can lead to nobility inversions of the IMP's relative to the aluminum matrix. The measured Volta potential difference between both IMP's and their neighboring matrix is dependent on RH. Natural oxidation in ambient indoor air for 2 months led to a nobility inversion of the IMP's with respect to the aluminum matrix, with the intermetallics showing anodic nature already in dry condition. The anodic nature of Al2Cu remained with the introduction of RH, whereas Mg2Si became cathodic at high RH, presumably due to de-alloying of Mg and oxide dissolution. The DFT calculations predicted an anodic character of both IMP's in reference to the oxidized aluminum matrix, being in good agreement with the SKPFM data. The DFT and SKPFM data were discussed in light of understanding localized corrosion of aluminum alloys under conditions akin to atmospheric exposure.

This paper presents an in-depth characterisation study of the patina formed on a copper tile taken from the roof of Queen Anne's Summer Palace in Prague after close to 400 years of exposure to the action of the atmosphere. A wide variety of techniques have been performed, including metallographic and chemical analysis (electrogravimetry, AAS, XRF) of the copper matrix, and spectroscopic and microscopic investigations (GIXRD, TEM/EDS and SEM/EDS) to determine the composition and structure of the patina. The major conclusions of the study are: (a) the base copper contains abundant inclusions mainly of rosiaite (PbSb2O6); (b) the patina is formed by an inner sublayer of cuprite (Cu2O) and an outer sublayer of brochantite [Cu4SO4(OH)6] and antlerite [Cu3SO4(OH)4] and traces of azurite [Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2]; and (c) the brochantite/antlerite crystals are randomly doped with Fe and C.

The morphology and elemental composition of cross sections of eight historic copper materials have been explored. The materials were taken from copper roofs installed in different middle and northern European environments from the 16th to the 19th century. All copper substrates contain inclusions of varying size, number and composition, reflecting different copper ores and production methods. The largest inclusions have a size of up to 40 μm, with most inclusions in the size ranging between 2 and 10 μm. The most common element in the inclusions is O, followed by Pb, Sb and As. Minor elements include Ni, Sn and Fe. All historic patinas exhibit quite fragmentized bilayer structures, with a thin inner layer of cuprite (Cu2O) and a thicker outer one consisting mainly of brochantite (Cu4SO4(OH)6). The extent of patina fragmentation seems to depend on the size of the inclusions, rather than on their number and elemental composition. The larger inclusions are electrochemically nobler than the surrounding copper matrix. This creates micro-galvanic effects resulting both in a profound influence on the homogeneity and morphology of historic copper patinas and in a significantly increased ratio of the thicknesses of the brochantite and cuprite layers. The results suggest that copper patinas formed during different centuries exhibit variations in uniformity and corrosion protection ability.

This paper presents an in-depth characterisation study of the patina formed on a copper tile taken from the roof of Queen Anne's Summer Palace in Prague after > 300 years of exposure to the action of the atmosphere. A wide variety of techniques have been used, including metallographic and chemical analysis (electrogravimetry, AAS, XRF) of the copper matrix, and spectroscopic and microscopic investigations (GIXRD, FTIR, TEM/EDS and SEM/ EDS) to determine the composition and structure of the patina. The major conclusions of the study are: (a) the base copper contains abundant inclusions mainly of rosiaite (PbSb2O6); (b) the patina is formed by an inner sublayer of cuprite (Cu2O) and an outer sublayer of brochantite [Cu4SO4(OH)(6)] and antlerite [Cu3SO4(OH)(4)] and traces of azurite [Cu-3(CO3)(2)(OH)(2)]; and (c) the brochantite/antlerite crystals are randomly doped with Fe and C.

The initial steps of Cu₂O sulphidation to Cu₂S have been studied using plane-wave density functional theory at the PBE-D3+U level of sophistication. Surface adsorption and dissociation of H₂S and H₂O, as well as the replacement reaction of lattice oxygen with sulphur, have been investigated for the most stable (111) and (100) surface facets under oxygen-lean conditions. We find that the (100) surface is more susceptible to sulphidation than the (111) surface, promoting both H₂S adsorption, dissociation and the continued oxygen–sulphur replacement. The results presented in this proceeding bridge previous results from high-vacuum experiments on ideal surface to more realistic corrosion conditions and set the grounds for future mechanistic studies. Potential implications on the long-term final disposal of spent nuclear fuel are discussed.

The influence of the composition of stainless steels on atmospheric corrosion resistance in a marine environment in Dubai was investigated after 2 y and 4 y of exposure. Different stainless steel grades with different surface finishes were included in the investigation: three ferritic stainless steels, five austenitic stainless steels, and four duplex stainless steels. The alloying elements chromium (Cr) and molybdenum (Mo) both had a beneficial influence on the corrosion resistance. The pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN =%Cr + 3.3%Mo + 16%N) and the (%Cr + 3.3%Mo) content in the surface film correlated well to the atmospheric corrosion resistance. An increased Cr content both in the bulk material and in the passive film improved the atmospheric corrosion resistance and the additional presence of Mo was effective in preventing red rust and also reduced the depth of pits. The depth of the pitting attack and the degree of aesthetic degradation were both influenced by alloying level, surface finish, and exposure conditions (open and sheltered). In the severe marine environment in Dubai, it is necessary to use Mo-bearing high-Cr stainless steel for adequate atmospheric corrosion resistance. The most resistant stainless steel grades were the high alloyed grades which ranked in the order UNS S31254 similar to UNS S3750 < UNS S34565 < UNS S32654. The duplex stainless steel grade S32205 may be considered for construction and architectural materials in Dubai but is likely to require more maintenance.