First-Principles Investigation on Work Function of Martensitic Carbon Steels: Effect of Interstitial Carbon on Anodic Dissolution Resistance

Abstract

The effect of interstitial carbon on the work function and the dissolution resistance of martensitic carbon steels was investigated. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy measurements of 0.001%C, 0.44%C, and 0.88%C specimens showed that the work function of steels increased with the amount of interstitial carbon. In addition, first-principles calculations indicated that the presence of interstitial carbon clearly increased the work function on both the (110) and (100) orientation surfaces. The immersion tests and potentiodynamic polarization measurements of the specimens were conducted in 50 mM C 8 H 5 KO 4 at pH 4.0, and it was clarified that the anodic dissolution reaction was suppressed as the amount of interstitial carbon increased. The improvement in work function appeared to be related to the superior anodic dissolution resistance.