Influence of a perfluorinated surfactant on the mechanism of zinc deposition in acidic electrolytes

The influence of the non-ionic surfactant Forafac F1110 on the kinetics of zinc deposition in sulfate or chloride solutions is investigated by voltamm etry and impedance spectroscopy. From a discussion of the results in terms of a reaction model, it is shown that the additive produces a significant i nhibition of the corrosion process. In addition and in a specific way for e ach electrolyte, the additive (i) inhibits the different steps of charge tr ansfer leading to the zinc deposit and (ii) modifies the kinetic parameters of the slow reactions involved in the formation and destruction of the act ive sites for zinc deposition. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.