Evaluation of the effect of corrosion inhibitors using in-situ optical microscopy coupled with electrochemical techniques

• Grant number: 14/26539-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2015
• End date: December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Emerson da Costa Rios
• Grantee: Juliana Magalhães de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Considering the increase of oil production in our country in the coming years and the corrosion problems that are frequent in this type of industry, the purpose of this project is to study how corrosion inhibitors act on the microstructure of carbon steel exposed to seawater taking into account the morphology of the attack. To this end, electrochemical techniques coupled with in-situ optical microscopy will be used. The inhibitor used may be catechin which is a flavonoid that can be found in different species of plants and can be extracted in an economically viable and environmentally friendly way. In the first stage of this project, the study will be carried using temporal series of images acquired using in-situ optical microscopy during potential polarization curves. The effect of the inhibitor on the polarization resistance (Rp), charge transfer resistance (Rct), noise resistance (Rn), the electrochemical noise profile and the predominant type of corrosion in different experimental conditions will be analyzed. Taking these properties, response surfaces will be created from a factorial design. By further analysis of electrochemical data and morphological variation of the steel surface in real time, some aspects related to the inhibitor mechanism of action in the steel structure for corrosion may be further elucidated, thus helping in the implementation of appropriate measures for protection and prevention of corrosion.