Hydrogen generation from a single crystal magnetite coupled galvanically with a carbon steel in sulfate solution

Abstract A galvanic coupling with a single crystal magnetite accelerated the corrosion of a carbon steel in sulfate solutions. A scanning electrochemical microscopic investigation revealed that the hydrogen generation on the magnetite as well as the reduction of the magnetite itself was contributed to a galvanic corrosion of the carbon steel. The estimated current efficiency for the hydrogen generation on the magnetite was about 50% in pH 5.8 sulfate solution. Moreover, the distribution of hydrogen generated above the magnetite surface was observed with the probe current image.