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Cysteine as a green corrosion inhibitor for Cu37Zn brass in neutral and weakly alkaline sulphate solutions

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate electrochemical properties of brass in neutral and weakly alkaline solutions in the presence of cysteine as a nontoxic and ecological corrosion inhibitor. Potentiodynamic measurements, open circuit potential measurements, as well as chronoamperometric measurements were the methods used during investigation of the inhibitory effect of cysteine on the corrosion behaviour of brass. Potentiodynamic measurements showed that cysteine behaves as a mixed-type inhibitor in the investigated media. Based on polarization curves for brass in a weakly alkaline solution of sodium sulphate at varying cysteine concentrations, an interaction occurs between Cu+ ions and the inhibitor, resulting in the formation of a protective complex on the electrode surface. The results of chronoamperometric measurements confirm the results obtained by potentiodynamic measurements. Optical microphotography of the brass surface also confirms the formation of a protective film in the presence of a 1 × 10−4 mol/dm3 cysteine. Adsorption of cysteine on the brass surface proceeds according to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Serbia through the Project No 172031.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technical Faculty Bor, University of Belgrade, VJ 12, P.O. Box 50, 19210, Bor, Serbia

    Milan B. Radovanović, Marija B. Petrović, Ana T. Simonović, Snežana M. Milić & Milan M. Antonijević

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  1. Milan B. Radovanović
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  2. Marija B. Petrović
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  3. Ana T. Simonović
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  4. Snežana M. Milić
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  5. Milan M. Antonijević
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Correspondence to Milan M. Antonijević.

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Responsible editor: Vinod Kumar Gupta

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Radovanović, M.B., Petrović, M.B., Simonović, A.T. et al. Cysteine as a green corrosion inhibitor for Cu37Zn brass in neutral and weakly alkaline sulphate solutions. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 4370–4381 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-1088-5

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