Understanding of the mechanism of metal passivation with inhibitors requires detailed knowledge of the character of adsorption, the nature of the chemical bonding, the valent state of the adsorbed particles, etc. Our studies demonstrated that quantum chemistry calculations, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy methods, radioactive tracers, chemical polarization can provide extremely valuable information concerning the enumerated topics.1
Inhibition of corrosion processes, like same passivity, can be caused by the generation on metal surfaces of both adsorption and phase layers. A classical example of adsorbtion inhibition may be found in the pitting corrosion prevention of stainless steels. The protection as was shown by the author is related to the adsorption displacement of activator (Cl−) from the surface by passivating ions. The study of chlorine ion adsorption by the radioactive tracers method (36Cl) leads to an accurate determination of the amount of chlorine ions adsorbing on the metal surface...
