Question 4.

a. Given pH=1
[Zn2+] = 1·10–5 M
c = –0.12 V/decade,a = 0.15 V/decade
i0H2 = 2·10–10 A cm–2, i0Zn = 1·10–8 A cm–2

The cathodic and anodic reaction:

2+¿+2 e❑ Zn¿
anode Z n ↔

+ ¿+2 e❑ H 2 ¿
cathode 2 H ↔

Tafel Equation for the anodic process:

i corr
ŋa =β a log
( ) i oZn
=Ecorr −EZ n 2+ ¿
/ Zn¿

Tafel Equation for the anodic process:

i corr
ŋc =β c log
( ) i oH
2
=E corr −E H +¿
/ H 2¿

EZ n 2 +¿
/Zn=E ¿
2+ ¿ 0 0.059
Zn /Zn + lg ¿¿ ¿
2

EH +¿
/ H2 = E +¿ 0 0.059
¿
H / H2 + lg ¿ ¿¿¿
2

Construct the Evans diagram:

 Hydrogen Reaction:

Slope is the cathodic Tafel coefficient βc =-0.12

Electrode potential from Nernst equation E H +¿

/ H2=−0.059(V )¿

 Zn Dissolution:

Slope is the anodic Tafel coefficient βa=0.15

Electrode potential from Nernst equation E Z n 2 +¿

/Zn=−0.908(V )¿
EH +¿
/ H2 , ioH ¿
2

2H++2e- -> H2
Zn-> Zn2++2e-

E Zn 2+ ¿
ECorr , i corr
/ Zn,ioZn ¿

i prot

Figure 4.1 the Evans diagram for the corrosion of Zn

Based on the Evans diagram, the following values are estimated:

corrosion potential Ecorr =−0.63(V )

corrosion current density i corr =2 x 10−6 (Ac m−2)

b. Calculate the protection current density

The protection current density Iprot can be estimated by the Evans diagram to be 2x10 -3 A cm-2

c. when the pH of the residue is double, and the activity of Zn 2+ is squared

the activity of Zn2+ is squared([Zn2+] = 1·10–10 M):

EZ n 2 +¿
/Zn=E ¿
2+ ¿ 0 0.059
Zn /Zn + lg ¿¿ ¿
2

EH +¿
/ H2 = E +¿ 0 0.059
¿
H / H2 + lg ¿ ¿¿¿
2

Construct the Evans diagram:

 Hydrogen Reaction:

Slope is the cathodic Tafel coefficient βc =-0.12

 Electrode potential from Nernst equation E H +¿
/ H2=−0.118(V )¿

 Zn Dissolution:

Slope is the anodic Tafel coefficient βa=0.15

Electrode potential from Nernst equation E Z n 2 +¿

/Zn=−1.055(V )¿

EH +¿
/ H2 , ioH ¿
2

2H++2e- -> H2

Zn-> Zn2++2e-

ECorr , i corr
E Zn
2+ ¿
/ Zn,ioZn ¿

Figure 4.2 the Evans diagram for the corrosion of Zn when the pH of the residue is double,
and the activity of Zn2+ is squared

Based on figure 4.2 ,the corrosion potential(E corr )of the system∧corrosioncurrent density i corr
is estimated to be -0.64V and 5.3 x 10−6 Ac m−2 respectively. ¿