Stripping voltammetric and conductance measurements on corrosion and inhibition of copper in nitric acid

Abstract

The kinetics of copper dissolution in nitric acid especially, the phase of dissolution at the beginning of incubation period was investigated. Two techniques, the anodic stripping voltammetry and the conductance measurements, were used for the first time in this concern. Galvanostatic polarization measurements using very simple circuit used to study the corrosion process of copper in nitric acid. The effect of several factors was studied, namely nitric acid concentration, the copper surface area and stirring. The effect of inorganic substances and their role as inhibitors or promoters was also investigated. By applying the anodic stripping voltammetric technique it was found that the rate of copper dissolution during the incubation period is constant and time independent. Also, stirring prevents the corrosion of copper almost completely.