FORMATION OF A PROTECTIVE LAYER ON IRON BY ADSORPTION OF N,N-DIETHYLAMINOPROPIONITRILE

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy were used to stud y the formation of adsorption layers on the oxidated iron and gamma-Fe 2O3 powder due to their exposure to a thin film of liquid N,N-diethyla minopropionitrile, a well-known volatile inhibitor of atmospheric corr osion. It was shown that a film consisting of chemisorbed and physical ly adsorbed layers is formed on the surface of the oxidated iron. The latter layer involves ''nonbonded'' and associated layers formed by th e inhibitor. The formation of the chemisorbed layer results from adsor ption of products of hydrolysis and dissociation of the inhibitor on t he surface. Although N,N-diethylaminopropionitrile and products of its reactions with the adsorbent have high volatility, it was found that their desorption in the atmosphere occurs slowly and is not completed over a period of eight months.