Stripping voltammetric and conductance measurements on corrosion and inhibition of copper in nitric acid

The kinetics of copper dissolution in nitric acid especially, the phase of dissolution at the beginning of incubation period was investigated. Two tec hniques, the anodic stripping voltammetry and the conductance measurements, were used for the first time in this concern. Galvanostatic polarization m easurements using very simple circuit used to study the corrosion process o f copper in nitric acid. The effect of several factors was studied, namely nitric acid concentration, the copper surface area and stirring. The effect of inorganic substances and their role as inhibitors or promoters was also investigated. By applying the anodic stripping voltammetric technique it w as found that the rate of copper dissolution during the incubation period i s constant and time independent. Also, stirring prevents the corrosion of c opper almost completely. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .