Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
8-2021
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M. Eng.
Department
Chemical Engineering
Committee Chair
Gupta, Gautam
Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)
Ghorbanian, Mahyar
Committee Member
Ghorbanian, Mahyar
Committee Member
Atre, Sundar
Author's Keywords
corrosion; copper; impedance; electrochemistry
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to discover and thoroughly explain the corrosion mechanisms of copper in saltwater, tap water and deionized water, and to apply these methods and findings when testing the corrosion mechanisms of other materials. The experimental procedure consisted of measuring the open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, and Tafel analysis.
The copper was found to corrode at a greater rate in saltwater, followed by tap water then deionized water, with a larger difference between saltwater and tap water than between tap water and deionized water. Each reaction was found to be both kinetically and diffusion controlled.
Similar experiments were conducted using stainless steel immersed in mock wastewater, and 3D printed stainless steel in saltwater. Corrosion rates increased as the concentration of the mock wastewater increased. The 3D printed stainless steel had corrosion rates 200 times less than those of copper in saltwater solution.
Recommended Citation
Grimm, Evan, "The study of copper corrosion mechanisms using electrochemical experimental techniques." (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3908.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/3908
