Corrosion Inhibition and Photoactivity Behavior of N-Substituted Polycarbazole-Coated Natural Pyrite Electrode

Conductive films of poly (N-vinylcarbazole) (PVCz) and polycarbazole (PCz) were coated electrochemically on a natural iron sulfide (FeS₂) surface. The corrosion, photocorrosion, and photoactivity characteristics of coated electrodes were investigated in potassium iodide/iodide (KI/I₂) redox electrolyte. However, PVCz was obtained by oxidative poly-merization of N-vinylcarbazole (NVCz) by ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) and showed photoconductivity also was deposited on the natural FeS₂ surface chemically from toluene/ cyclohegzanone solution, and the electrode was tested for photoactivity. Electrochemical coating inhibited corrosion and photocorrosion of FeS₂ causing some decrease in photoactivity, while chemical coating of thin, transparent PVCz on the surface enhanced the photoactivity and inhibited the corrosion and photocorrosion.