Доклад: theory of metal passivation
Research concept
Theory of metal passivation
Metal surface contacting with solution of electrolyte in some definite
condition transformed to so called passive state. Study of this phenomena on
the border of metal – electrolyte plays an important role, as they define the
process of destruction of metal. And it is thermodynamically favourable for
metal to dissolve as a result of these process. Such phenomenon was first
observed by M. Faraday. This is one of the main factor of stability of metal
in aggressive environment.
It is known that, there is no unified model of passivation. The most common and
in first sight convincing conception of phase oxide is connecting passivation
with mechanical formation of thin film on metal surface with oxide layer.
However, potential of phase oxide formation differ from critical parameter of
polarised curve (pic. 1), specially from potential of activation
ja
and passivation
jП. In case of iron this difference is 0,63
v. For this reason the phase film conception of passivation cannot be taken in
that from.
In case of metal passsivation determining role plays water molecule. Some
part of water molecule dissociate in the process of adsorption and ion of
oxygen breaking the bond with proton firmly block the most active centre of
metal surface. This may be considered as start of passivation.
In the theory of passivation some physical factor must be taken in account.
Most important of those are stated bellow.
1. Strong electric field. It define the transform of metal to metal oxide:
.
2. Equilibrium exchange on the border with solution in which take part the
ion
OH- and
Oox.
3. Number of nonequilibrium vacancy in the passivaing oxide lattice.
4. Energetic inhomogeneity of metal surface.
Major factor of the process is inter phase difference of potential, which is
defined by composition of the solution. Depending on its value the current of
dissolution take the form:
Breaks on this curve is connected with the formation of thin protection layer
in sector II. Reaction of this passive layer formation is
The oxygen undertakes from molecules of water, and half metal from the substrate
of metal surface. As a result of formation of this layer the current falls on
4-7 orders in a very narrow interval of potential change
j. After
formation of a continuous monolayer there occur the state of passivity III.
The question, how this passive layer is formatted was not studied. We shall
try to explain the process of passive layer formation and the kinetic of the
process.
With this purpose it would be possible to use the thermodynamic theory of Gibbs-
Folmer, according to which at formation of a new phase the free energy of
system changes in the value
.
,
Where
q- the geometrical factor,
l- the size of the cluster , M,
r- molecular weight and density of a firm phase,
- chemical potentials of supersaturated solution and firm phase with
concentration C1,2 and coefficient of activity
f1,2
. In the point of maximum
the
cluster is equilibrium, its critical size
lkp surpasses few
times the sizes of building particles (molecules) of the layer. The probability
of its formation is defined by the work
A of this process
,
With the condensation of the factor of crystallisation
Wc ,
the probability of crystal cluster formation
Wk is
.
It is defined by the classical approaches, according to which the formation
of equilibrium crystal take place by consecutive connection of building
particles to the complexes, already available on surface M.
At calculation of probability it is accepted, that on the surface M
spontaneously arise (or on the contrary, break up) twin crystal particles of
various sizes of
a and with inter nuclear distance
r0
. The sizes change as a result of the consecutive elementary acts (transitions)
of the type such as
, i.e. growth or disintegration of crystal particles.
Probability of elementary transitions we shall designate
Pa® a±r
0 , . Their
speeds
. These values
represent quantity of the acts taking place in 1 cm2 of the surface
M for 1 sec. They are proportional to superficial concentration
na
of particles of the given size and probabilities of the elementary acts
.
Resulting speed of direct and return transitions
.
At balance state
Proceeding from this it is possible to find out
Further we shall define
A1 and
A2.
Proceeding from this it is possible to calculate the speed of cluster formation
With the help of this formula it is possible to define the laws of formation
of the passive layer on the sector II (in pic.1).
Then taking in to account the energetic inhomogeneity of metal surface it is
possible to find out the integrated current density
where
y- bond energy.
To each pair value of
corresponds the certain probability
I(j, yi) of formation of
twin cluster and the local degree of filling
by them
ith platforms of the surface M. With the growth of
potential
j formation of cluster becomes more and more intensive. And
accordingly grows the integrated degree of its filling
by cluster,
Thus the processing of the first thin superficial layer of metal in oxide is
finished. Take place complete passivation of the surface M, the sector II on
the curve (fig. 1) is replaced by the sector III, for which the new physical
conditions must be taken in account. And further researched may be done.