CYCLIC VOLTAMMETRIC STUDY OF STAINLESS STEEL SUBSTRATE IN ACIDIC CuSO4 SOLUTION

Abstract

There is a great interest in understanding the electrochemical process of the stainless steel by studying the current-potential peak appeared from a cyclic voltammogram. In this study, the electrochemical reactions of Cu²⁺ ion on stainless steel surface were investigated by cyclic voltammetry in 0.01 M CuSO4 solution with respect to pH at which Cu²⁺ ion stable (pH 1 – 3). It was found that the decrease of pH has improved the conductivity and throwing power of the solution as shown by current density produced. Chronological events of Cu2+/Cu reactions (reduction of Cu²⁺ - nucleation and growth of Cu and oxidation of Cu to Cu²⁺) on the stainless steel surface during an entire cyclic voltammetric scan in 0.01 M CuSO4 solution at pH 1 were described by the cyclic voltammogram.