Self-assembled 1-octadecyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole films on copper for corrosion protection

A film of 1-octadecyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole (OTA) was formed on a fresh copper surface by self-assembly technique. The optimum concentration of OTA and immersion time for the formation of a protective OTA film have been established using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). These are (i) 15 mM concentration of OTA in methanol and (ii) immersion period of 48 h. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), reflection absorption FTIR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements have been used to characterize the OTA film on copper surface. The efficiency of OTA film to protect copper from corrosion in aqueous NaCl environment has been investigated using EIS, potentio-dynamic polarization studies, cyclic voltammetry and weight-loss studies. All these studies showed that the OTA film affords excellent protection against corrosion of copper. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.