Cyclic voltammetric measurements were made on pure copper, nickel and 70/30
copper-nickel alloy in sodium sulphate and sodium chloride (0.5 M) solutio
ns. In sodium sulphate solution the passivation of copper and nickel is thr
ough oxide formation. The passive film on copper nickel alloy is found to h
ave nickel ions ingress along with copper oxide by volume diffusion. Nickel
ions cause hindrance to the reduction of copper oxide to copper. The prese
nce of chloride ions increases the dissolution of nickel while copper is pa
ssivated. The formation of CuCl2 and its subsequent hydrolysis to hydroxide
prevents the dissolution. Introduction of nickel in copper depassivates th
e copper and hydrolysis of monovalent copper complex is prevented by the in
gress of nickel ions. The formation of NiCl2 along with CuCl2 is facilitate
d by chloride ions.