Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy for the Investigation of Galvanic Corrosion of Iron with Zinc in 0.1 M NaCl Solution

Scanning electrochemical microscopy was used to monitor microscopic aspects of the electrochemical processes at the iron-zinc couple immersed in 0.1 M NaCl aqueous solution. The SECM measured the concentration of chemical species relevant to the corrosion processes. The electrochemical behavior of galvanic Fe/Zn coupling was investigated as a function of time using SECM microelectrode both as Fe/Zn joined together as well as away from each other. SECM amperometric line scan curves were obtained over the Fe/Zn at a constant distance. In the first case, the chemical species participating in the corrosion reactions at the sample are detected at the SECM tip by applying appropriate potential values to the microelectrode. The release of Zn²⁺ ionic species into the solution phase from local anodic sites, as well as the consumption of dissolved oxygen at the corresponding cathodic locations, was successfully monitored. The results revealed that the galvanic couple where Fe/Zn is close to each other will show higher corrosion rate of zinc than that of galvanic couple away from each other. The Fe/Zn couple away from each other showed a decrease in current values with time. This is due to the formation of oxide layer of Zn over the Fe followed by the protection of the corrosion products with further exposure times.