Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Electrochemical and microstructural investigations on an as-cast and solution-annealed Al–Mg–Sn–Ga alloy as anode material in sodium chloride solution

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Ionics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this research, the electrochemical properties of a stir cast Al-0.65Mg-0.15Sn-0.05Ga (wt.%) alloy as an anode material in 3 wt.% NaCl solution was examined by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The corrosion behavior of the material was also evaluated using self-corrosion rate, hydrogen evolution, open circuit and closed circuit potentials, and anode efficiency measurements. In addition, the microstructure of the material was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the intermetallic particles were analyzed by energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results showed that tin inclusions were formed within the grains and along the grain boundaries and the dissolution of aluminum substrate was occurred preferentially around these particles leading to form round pits. The dissolution of alloy was accompanied by hydrogen gas evolution from cathodic tin particles. Polarization measurements showed active behavior with considerably negative corrosion potential value without any passive region. The obtained impedance results showed an increase in the impedance values due to the coverage of anode surface by reaction products during immersion. A sample of the alloy which was subjected to homogenizing annealing at 570 °C showed more active behavior by providing more negative open and closed circuit potential values and improved anode efficiencies at higher impressed currents, but evolved higher amounts of hydrogen compared to the as-cast anode.

This paper aims at evaluating the electrochemical and microstructural characteristics of an as-cast and solution-annealed Al-0.65Mg-0.15Sn-0.05Ga alloy anode which was fabricated by stir casting. The polarization and EIS results indicate negative corrosion potential and OCP values without passive region. The activity and anodic efficiency of the solution-annealed anode was higher in high impressed current densities but evolves more hydrogen

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cho YJ, Park IJ, Lee HJ, Kim JG (2015) Aluminum anode for aluminum-air battery-part I: influence of aluminum purity. J Power Sources 277:370–378

  2. Fan L, Lu H (2015) The effect of grain size on aluminum anodes for Al-air batteries in alkaline electrolytes. J Power Sources 284:409–415

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Wysocka J, Krakowiak S, Ryl J, Darowicki K (2016) Investigation of the electrochemical behaviour of AA1050 aluminium alloy in aqueous alkaline solutions using dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. J Electroanal Chem 778:126–136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Dhayabaran VV, Merlin JP, Lydia IS, Shanthi R, Sivaraj R (2004) Inhibition of corrosion of aluminium in presence of fluorescein in basic medium. Ionics 10(3):288–290

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Egan DR, CPd L, RJK W, Jones RL, Stokes KR, Walsh FC (2013) Developments in electrode materials and electrolytes for aluminium-air batteries. J Power Sources 236:293–310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Pino M, Chacon J, Fatas E, Ocon P (2015) Performance of commercial aluminium alloys as anodes in gelled electrolyte aluminium-air batteries. J Power Sources 299:195–201

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Flamini DO, Saidman SB (2012) Electrochemical behavior of Al-Zn-Ga and Al-In-Ga alloys in chloride media. Mater Chem Phys 136:103–111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Gudic S, Smoljko I, Kliskic M (2010) The effect of small addition of tin and indium on the corrosion behavior of aluminium in chloride solution. J Alloy Compd 505:54–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Pino M, Herranz D, Chacon J, Fatas E, Ocon P (2016) Carbon treated commercial aluminium alloys as anodes for aluminium-air batteries in sodium chloride electrolyte. J Power Sources 326:296–302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Gudic S, Radosevic J, Smoljco I, Kliskic M (2005) Cathodic breakdown of anodic oxide film on Al and Al–Sn alloys in NaCl solution. Electrochim Acta 50:5624–5632

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Sharma A, Zhang C, Austin Chang Y, Knoeppel R, Morgan D (2011) Ab initio and thermodynamic modelling of alloying effects on activity of sacrificial aluminium anodes. Corros Sci 53:1724–1731

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Drazic DM, Popic J (1993) Hydrogen evolution on aluminium in chloride solutions. J Electroanal Chem 357(1–2):105–116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Kliskic M, Radosevic J, Aljinovic LJ (1994) Behaviour of Al-Sn alloy on the negative side of the open-circuit potential. J Appl Electrochem 24:814–818

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Venugopal A, Raja VS (1997) AC impedance study on the activation mechanism of aluminium by indium and zinc in 3.5% NaCl medium. Corros Sci 39:2053–2065

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Saidman SB, Garcia SG, Bessone JB (1995) Electrochemical behavior of Al-In alloys in chloride solutions. J Appl Electrochem 25:252–258

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Tuck CDS, Hunter JA, Scamans GM (1987) The electrochemical behavior of Al-Ga alloys in alkaline and neutral electrolytes. J Electrochem Soc 134(12):2970–2981

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Ma J, Wen J, Li Q, Zhang Q (2013) Effects of acidity and alkalinity on corrosion behaviour of Al-Zn-Mg based anode alloy. J Power Sources 226:156–161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Despic AR, Drazic DM, Purenovic MM, Cikovic N (1976) Electrochemical properties of aluminium alloys containing indium, gallium and thallium. J Appl Electrochem 6:527–542

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Barbucci A, Cerisola G, Bruzzone G, Saccone A (1997) Activation of aluminium anodes by the presence of intermetallic compounds. Electrochim Acta 42:2369–2380

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Nestoridi M, Pletcher D, Wood RJK, Wang S, Jones RL, Stokes KR, Wilcock I (2008) The study of aluminium anodes for high power density Al/air batteries with brine electrolytes. J Power Sources 178:445–455

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Shayeb HAE, Wahab FMA, Abedin SZE (2001) Effect of gallium ions on the electrochemical behaviour of Al, Al-Sn and Al-Zn-Sn alloys in chloride solutions. Corros Sci 43:643–654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Ma ZQ, Zuo L, Pang X, Zeng SM (2009) Effects of electrolyte components on properties of Al alloy anode. Trans Nonferrous Met Soc China 19:160–165

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Ma J, Wen J (2009) The effects of lanthanum on microstructure and electrochemical properties of Al–Zn–In based sacrificial anode alloys. Corros Sci 51:2115–2119

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Ma Z, Li X (2011) The study on microstructure and electrochemical properties of Al-Mg-Sn-Ga-Pb alloy anode material for Al/AgO battery. J Solid State Electrochem 15:2601–2610

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Tuck CDS (1992) Use of video techniques to study the electrochemical activation and corrosion of aluminium alloys. Faraday Discuss 94:171–182

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Shen PK, Tseung ACC, Kuo C (1994) Development of an aluminium/sea water battery for sub-sea applications. J Appl Electrochem 47:119–127

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Budevski E, Iliev I, Kaisheva A, Despic A, Krsmanovic K (1989) Investigations of a large-capacity medium-power saline aluminium-air battery. J Appl Electrochem 19(3):323–330

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Hunter JA, Scamans GM, O’Callaghan WB, Wycliffe PA (1991) Aluminium batteries. US Patent 5004654

  29. Gao JW, Wen JB, He JG (2013) The research of electrochemical properties of Al-Mg-Sn-Ga-Bi alloys in alkaline electrolyte. Adv Mater Res 800:488–491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Ma J, Wen J, Gao J, Li Q (2014) Performance of Al-0.5 Mg-0.02 Ga-0.1 Sn-0.5 Mn as anode for Al-air battery in NaCl solutions. J Power Sources 253:419–423

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Standard Guide for Laboratory Immersion Corrosion Testing of Metals (2012) ASTM NACE/ASTMG31-12a. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA

    Google Scholar 

  32. Impressed Current Laboratory Testing of Aluminum and Zinc Alloy Anodes (2012) NACE TM0190-2012. NACE International, Houston, TX

    Google Scholar 

  33. Graver B, Pedersen AM, Nisancioglu K (2009) Anodic activation of aluminum by trace element tin. ECS Trans 16(52):55–69

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Barbucci A, Bruzzone G, Delucchi M, Panizza M, Cerisola G (2000) Breakdown of passivity of aluminium alloys by intermetallic phases in neutral chloride solution. Intermetallics 8:305–312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Murray JL (1982) The Al-Mg (aluminum-magnesium) system. Bull Alloy Phase Diagr 3(1):60–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Jain S, Lim MLC, Hudson JL, Scully JR (2012) Spreading of intergranular corrosion on the surface of sensitized Al-4.4Mg alloys: a general finding. Corros Sci 59:136–147

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Murray (1983) The Al-Ga (aluminum-gallium) system. Bull Alloy Phase Diagr 4(2):183–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Birkin PR, Nestoridi M, Pletcher D (2009) Studies of the anodic dissolution of aluminium alloys containing tin and gallium using imaging with a high-speed camera. Electrochim Acta 54:6668–6673

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Nestoridi M, Pletcher D, Wharton JA, Wood RJK (2009) Further studies of the anodic dissolution in sodium chloride electrolyte of aluminium alloys containing tin and gallium. J. Power Sources 193:895–898

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Szklarska-Smialowska Z (1999) Pitting corrosion of aluminum. Corros Sci 41(9):1743–1767

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Pyun S-I, Moon S-M (2000) Corrosion mechanism of pure aluminium in aqueous alkaline solution. J Solid State Electrochem 4(5):267–272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Burstein GT, Cinderey RJ (1992) Evolution of the corrosion potential of repassivating aluminium surfaces. Corros Sci 33(3):475–492

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Macdonald JR (1987) Impedance spectroscopy and its use in analyzing the steady-state AC response of solid and liquid electrolytes. J Electroanal Chem Interfacial Electrochem 223(1–2):25–50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Abdel-Gaber AM, Abd-El-Nabey BA, Sidahmed IM, El-Zayady AM, Saadawy M (2006) Kinetics and thermodynamics of aluminium dissolution in 1.0 M sulphuric acid containing chloride ions. Mater Chem Phys 98(2–3):291–297

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Brug GJ, Eeden ALG, Sluyters-Rehbach M, Sluyters JH (1984) The analysis of electrode impedances complicated by the presence of a constant phase element. J Electroanal Chem Interfacial Electrochem 176(1–2):275–295

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, P.O. Box 15875-1774, Tehran, Iran

    M. R. Sovizi & M. Afshari

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, P.O. Box 15875-1774, Tehran, Iran

    K. Jafarzadeh

  3. Department of Corrosion Research, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, P.O. Box 18745-4163, Tehran, Iran

    J. Neshati

Authors
  1. M. R. Sovizi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Afshari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. K. Jafarzadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Neshati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. R. Sovizi.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Highlights

• As-cast anode shows active anodic behavior without any passive region.

• Annealed anode exhibits improved anodic efficiencies at higher impressed currents.

• Hydrogen evolution is higher on the annealed anode surface than the as-cast anode.

• Performance of the anodes decline with time by coverage of anode with reaction products.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sovizi, M.R., Afshari, M., Jafarzadeh, K. et al. Electrochemical and microstructural investigations on an as-cast and solution-annealed Al–Mg–Sn–Ga alloy as anode material in sodium chloride solution. Ionics 23, 3073–3084 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-017-2099-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-017-2099-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation