Factors affecting the anodic behaviour of zinc electrode in borate solutions

Abstract The anodic behaviour of Zn electrode in 1 × 10−2 M Na2B4O7 solutions in the absence and presence of various concentrations of Na2SO4, Na2S2O3 or Na2S as aggressive agent was studied by galvanostatic polarization technique. In the absence of sulphur-containing anions in solution, the polarization curves are characterized by one distinct arrest corresponding to Zn(OH)2 and/or ZnO, after which the potential increases linearly with time due to the formation of barrier oxide film before reaching the oxygen evolution reaction. The duration time of the arrest decreases with increasing current density while the rate of oxide film formation increases. On the other hand, the duration time of the arrest increases with the number of anodic cyclization while the rate of oxide film formation decreases. Additions of low concentration of the aggressive anions have no effect on the passive film formed on the metal surface. The potential starts to oscillate within the oxygen evolution region with increases in the concentration of these aggressive anions. Further increases in the concentration of these aggressive anions are associated with impaired Zn passivity that might indicate pitting attack. The aggressiveness of the sulphur species decreases in the order: SO 4 2 - > S 2 O 3 2 - > S 2 - . The effect of raising pH of the solution on the anodic behaviour of Zn electrode in the presence of SO 4 2 - anions was also investigated. It was found that the raising the pH of the solution affecting on the rate of oxide film formation and the breakdown potential value.