Adsorption of Benzotriazole on the Surface of Copper Alloys Studied by SECM and XPS

The formation of inhibitive benzotriazole films on copper and copper alloyed with silver has been studied with scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The SECM measurements showed that the film grows rapidly on oxygen-free dehydrated copper (OF-HC) and that the rate depends on the substrate potential. The benzotriazole films were also observed on silver alloyed copper; however, electropolishing prevents film growth by enriching the surface with silver. XPS results show that the film consisted of on both materials. No evidence of was found.