Anodic Metal Dissolution

In contrast to N,N-dimethylethanolamine, the interaction in z -BuOH without electrolysis of the reaction mixture does not produce Pc. This fact could be used successfully to electrosynthesize various metal phthalocyanines, synchronizing the Pc formation on the cathode and metal anode dissolution. This could prevent the formation of mixtures of metal-free and metal phthalocyanines [33]. As will be shown below, N,N-dimethyletanolamine could also be used successfully as a model solvent, in whose medium the formation of the metal-free Pc takes place even at room temperature under conditions of UV irradiation (see Table 5.5). 

According to Ref. 32, there is no formation of free phthalocyanine in the system "z-BuOII CII3ONa ( -Bu)4NBr o-phthalonitrile without the application of electrolysis at about 100°C (Example 11), unlike some other solvents where both chemical and electrochemical formation of phthalocyanine could take place. So, this solvent was chosen by the authors of Ref. 33 in order to synchronize metal anode dissolution with the formation of free phthalocyanine on the cathode surface and to avoid obtaining a mixture of metal-free phthalocyanine-lanthanide phthalocyanine. Unlike conventional chemical methods of preparing rare-earth metal phthalocyanines [63,85,86], where the syntheses are carried out at 170-290°C, it is possible to decrease the reaction temperature to about 100°C. 

The kinetics of several well-known electrochemical reactions have been studied in the presence of an ultrasonic field by Altukhov et al. [142], The anodic polarization curves of Ag, Cu, Fe, Cd, and Zn in various solutions of HC1 and H2S04 and their salts were measured in an ultrasonic field at various intensities. The effect of the ultrasonic field on the reaction kinetics was found to be dependent on the mechanism of metal anodic dissolution, especially on the effect of this field on the rate-determining step of the reaction. The results showed that the limiting factor of the anodic dissolving of Cu and Ag is the diffusion of reaction products, while in the case of Fe it is the desorption of anions of solution from the anode surface, and at Cd the limiting factor is the rate of destruction of the crystal lattice. Similar results were obtained by Elliot et al. [ 143] who studied reaction geometry in the oxidation and reduction of an alkaline silver electrode. 

The method and means may be used for welding repair in hard-accessible places of underwater constructions. Seawater may be used as an electrolyte however, in some cases, it is advantageous to use concentrated NaNOs solution in order to accelerate the process of metal anodic dissolution. It is necessary to use the electrolyte flow systems. 

We carried out potentiostatic electroreduction and electrooxidation of NbCl3-NaCl-KCl electrolytes prepared by niobium metal anodic dissolution at a potential of -1.3 V versus a chlorine reference electrode. The results obtained are presented in Figures 4.4.8-4.4.10. 

Since metals have very high conductivities, metal corrosion is usually electrochemical in nature. The tenn electrochemical is meant to imply the presence of an electrode process, i.e. a reaction in which free electrons participate. For metals, electrochemical corrosion can occur by loss of metal atoms tluough anodic dissolution, one of the fiindamental corrosion reactions. As an example, consider a piece of zinc, hereafter referred to as an electrode, inunersed in water. Zinc tends to dissolve in water, setting up a concentration of Zn ions very near the electrode... 

In moist enviromnents, water is present either at the metal interface in the fonn of a thin film (perhaps due to condensation) or as a bulk phase. Figure A3.10.1 schematically illustrates another example of anodic dissolution where a droplet of slightly acidic water (for instance, due to H2SO4) is in contact with an Fe surface in air [4]. Because Fe is a conductor, electrons are available to reduce O2 at the edges of the droplets. 

The purification of the galHum salt solutions is carried out by solvent extraction and/or by ion exchange. The most effective extractants are dialkyl-phosphates in sulfate medium and ethers, ketones (qv), alcohols, and trialkyl-phosphates in chloride medium. Electrorefining, ie, anodic dissolution and simultaneous cathodic deposition, is also used to purify metallic galHum. 

Ores are mined and are then refined in an energy intensive process to produce pure metals, which in turn are combined to make alloys (see Metallurgy Mineral RECOVERY and processing). Corrosion occurs because of the tendency of these refined materials to return to a more thermodynamically stable state (1—4). The key reaction in corrosion is the oxidation or anodic dissolution of the metal to produce metal ions and electrons... 

Firstly, they might be expected to have an effect when corrosion occurs under conditions of active (film-free) anodic dissolution and is not limited by the diffusion of oxygen or some other species in the environment. However, if the rate of active dissolution is controlled by the rate of oxygen diffusion, or if, in general terms, the rate-controlling process does not take place at the metal surface, the effect of crystal defects might be expected to be minimal. 

It follows from equation 1.45 that the corrosion rate of a metal can be evaluated from the rate of the cathodic process, since the two are faradai-cally equivalent thus either the rate of hydrogen evolution or of oxygen reduction may be used to determine the corrosion rate, providing no other cathodic process occurs. If the anodic and cathodic sites are physically separable the rate of transfer of charge (the current) from one to the other can also be used, as, for example, in evaluating the effects produced by coupling two dissimilar metals. There are a number of examples quoted in the literature where this has been achieved, and reference should be made to the early work of Evans who determined the current and the rate of anodic dissolution in a number of systems in which the anodes and cathodes were physically separable. 

The difference in oxygen concentration is now large and the potential of the metal within the crevice is now more negative than the freely exposed metal the predominant reaction in the crevice is anodic dissolution resulting in a high concentration of Fe and Cr ions. 

Pits seldom form in close proximity to one another and it would appear that the area of passivated metal, which acts as the cathode for the local cell, is protected by the anodic dissolution of metal within the pit—a phenomenon that is referred to as the mutually protective effect see Section 1.5). 

When dezincification occurs in service the brass dissolves anodically and this reaction is electrochemically balanced by the reduction of dissolved oxygen present in the water at the surface of the brass. Both the copper and zinc constituents of the brass dissolve, but the copper is not stable in solution at the potential of dezincifying brass and is rapidly reduced back to metallic copper. Once the attack becomes established, therefore, two cathodic sites exist —the first at the surface of the metal, at which dissolved oxygen is reduced, and a second situated close to the advancing front of the anodic attack where the copper ions produced during the anodic reaction are reduced to form the porous mass of copper which is characteristic of dezincification. The second cathodic reaction can only be sufficient to balance electrochemically the anodic dissolution of the copper of the brass, and without the support of the reduction of oxygen on the outer face (which balances dissolution of the zinc) the attack cannot continue. 

For situations controlled by anodic dissolution of a film P = 1/density of metal, but if the corrosion is controlled by the cathodic reaction P = 1/density of metal x nc Ma/na Me where n and M are the number of electrons and the molecular masses of anodic and cathodic reactants. 

With regard to the anodic dissolution under film-free conditions in which the metal does not exhibit passivity, and neglecting the accompanying cathodic process, it is now generally accepted that the mechanism of active dissolution for many metals results from hydroxyl ion adsorption " , and the sequence of steps for iron are as follows ... 

Many investigators have studied the anodic behaviour of nickel. A complete discussion of the reactions occurring during anodic dissolution and passivation of the metal is outside the scope of this chapter, which is confined to a brief summary of the main features of practical significance. 

The anodic dissolution of nickel is also dependent on the amount of cold work in the metal and in the active region the anodic current density of cold worked material at a given potential is up to one order of magnitude greater than that of annealed material. 

As with most other metals, the anodic behaviour of nickel is influenced by the composition of the solution in which measurements are made, particularly if the solution is acidic. Acidic solutions containing d ions or certain sulphur compounds in particular have a pronounced influence both in increasing the rate of anodic dissolution in the active range and in preventing passivation, and in stimulating localised corrosion . Thiourea and some of its derivatives have a complex effect, acting either as anodic stimulators or inhibitors, depending on their concentration . 

The alloying elements molybdenum and copper do not, by themselves, enhance passivity of nickel in acid solutions, but instead ennoble the metal. This means that, in practice, these alloying elements confer benefit in precisely those circumstances where chromium does not, viz. hydrogen-evolving acidic solutions, by reducing the rate of anodic dissolution. In more oxidising media the anodic activity increases, and, since binary Ni-Mo and Ni-Cu alloys do not passivate in acidic solutions, they are generally unsuitable in such media. 

Pitting of nickel and nickel alloys, as of other metals and alloys, occurs when passivity breaks down at local points on the surface exposed to the corrosive environment, at which points anodic dissolution then proceeds whilst the... 

The use of alkaline tin plating baths continues to stimulate research into the anodic dissolution of tin into sodium hydroxide solution . It has been shown that in the prepassive region, tin (11) oxide and hydroxide exist on the surface of the metal. At the onset of passivity, these change to tin (IV) oxide and hydroxide and the extent of surface hydration changes rapidly. ... 

As indicated above, when a positive direct current is impressed upon a piece of titanium immersed in an electrolyte, the consequent rise in potential induces the formation of a protective surface film, which is resistant to passage of any further appreciable quantity of current into the electrolyte. The upper potential limit that can be attained without breakdown of the surface film will depend upon the nature of the electrolyte. Thus, in strong sulphuric acid the metal/oxide system will sustain voltages of between 80 and 100 V before a spark-type dielectric rupture ensues, while in sodium chloride solutions or in sea water film rupture takes place when the voltage across the oxide film reaches a value of about 12 to 14 V. Above the critical voltage, anodic dissolution takes place at weak spots in the surface film and appreciable current passes into the electrolyte, presumably by an initial mechanism involving the formation of soluble titanium ions. 

The thermodynamic and electrode-kinetic principles of cathodic protection have been discussed at some length in Section 10.1. It has been shown that, if electrons are supplied to the metal/electrolyte solution interface, the rate of the cathodic reaction is increased whilst the rate of the anodic reaction is decreased. Thus, corrosion is reduced. Concomitantly, the electrode potential of the metal becomes more negative. Corrosion may be prevented entirely if the rate of electron supply is such that the potential of the metal is lowered to the value where it is found that anodic dissolution does not occur. This may not necessarily be the potential at which dissolution is thermodynamically impossible. 

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