Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Date performed:
Section:
Date Submitted:
Group Number:
SOME INVESTIGATIONS ON THE CORROSION OF IRON
I.
Introduction
Fe2+(aq)
2e-
+0.44 V
The charge of the reaction is positive since we reverse the reaction. In another
region of the same metals surface, this electron product reduces atmospheric
oxygen forming water at the cathode.
O2 (g)
4H+(aq)
4e-
2H2O(l)
+1.23 V
O2 (g)
4H+(aq)
2Fe2+(aq)
Eocathode
Eoanode
2H2O(l)
= 1.23 V
(-0.44 V)
=1.67 V
By convention, the Eoanode would still be in negative sign since the reaction in the
anode is oxidation but the formula has already factored the negative sign.
Since H+ ions is supplied in part due to the reaction of atmospheric CO 2 with
water forming H2CO3, this reaction occurs in an acidic medium.
Further oxidation of Fe2+ by oxygen occurs again in the anode through the
reaction:
4Fe2+(aq)
O2 (g)
(4+2x)H2O (l)
+8H+(aq)
Rust
A product of the reaction which is a hydrated form of Iron (III) oxides is the one
known as the rust. We represent the formula as Fe 2O3 xH2O since the amount
of H2O associated with the Iron (III) oxide varies. Through migration of electrons
and ions, electrical circuit is completed (Chang et al, 2013). Varying color of the
rust from black to yellow to the familiar reddish brown is affected by the degree
of hydration of the iron oxide (Zumdahl et al, 2010).
Other than iron, other metals also undergo corrosion. Like for example
aluminum, a metal used in building airplanes and making beverage cans. Since it
has a more negative standard reduction potential compared to Fe, it has a
greater tendency to oxidize than iron does. However, we do not see airplanes
dissolving and corroding in rainstorms. This is so because the layer of insoluble
Al2O3 that forms on its surface after it has been exposed to air shields the
aluminum underneath from further corrosion. In the case of iron, rust is too
porous to protect the iron underneath. Metals like copper and silver also corrode
much more slowly. After being exposed in atmosphere, copper forms a verdigris
which is basic Copper carbonate (CuCO 3), a green substance also called as
patina, which protects metal underneath from further corrosion. Similarly,
silverwares, after coming to contact with foods, develop a film of black silver
sulfide (Ag2S) layer.
In this particular experiment, the class stated the effects of three factors on the
corrosion of iron. These factors are; the acidity or basicity of the solution in
contact with the metal, mechanical stress applied on the metal and lastly, its
contact with other metals.
Objectives
II.
Materials
A. Reagents
Part A
12 small bright nail
NaOH
NaCl
HCl
KOH
KNO3
HNO3
Na3PO4
NaSCN
H2SO4
dH2O
12 - 1 to 2 drops 0.1 M K3Fe(CN)6
1 mL FeSO4
Part B and C
1 drop of 0.1 M K3Fe(CN)6
200 mL dH2O
4g agar
10 drops K3Fe(CN)6
2 drops phenolphthalein
4 big and bright nails
Copper strip
Zinc strip
B. Apparatus/Other Materials
12 centrifuge
tubes
1 test tube
Phenolphthalein
Hot plate
3 -250 mL beaker
Stirring rod
Pliers
Sand paper
III.
Procedure
A. Reaction of Iron with various Aqueous Solutions
To carry out the experiment, small nails was polished first with
sandpaper in order to remove the rust it already has. Each nails was
putted in each of the five centrifuge tubes. They were carefully slid down
the bottom to avoid breaking of tubes. Each tubes was filled with solutions
categorized in three sets A, B, and C. Our group was assigned with Set A
containing NaOH, NaCl, HCl, and distilled H 2O solutions. The acidity of
each solution was determined using phenolphthalein. Then, the nails was
allowed to stand overnight in the solutions. Observations on changes that
took place was recorded on Table _____. After standing overnight, one to
two drops of 0.1 M potassium ferricyanide (K 3Fe(CN)6) solution was added
into each test tube. The potassium ferricyanide dissociated to form K + and
[Fe(CN)6]3-. Changes in the solution was observed and noted. In order to
give descriptions to K3Fe(CN)6 solution, together with FeSO4 solution, a
drop of 0.1 M K3Fe(CN)6 was added to 1mL FeSO4 solution placed in a test
tube. Visible observations of the reaction was noted in Table ______.
Data/Observations
Table 12.1 Observations of the reaction of Iron with various aqueous
soln after standing overnight and upon addition of K 3Fe(CN)6
tA
OH
Cl
Se
Cl
H 2O
tB
OH
Se
Na
Na
K
K
NO3
After
standing overnight
No corrosion
observed
Brown ppt
formed; nail
corroded
Brown ppt
formed; dull
texture; corroded
tip
Brown ppt
formed;
concentrated
rusting on the tip
After
standing overnight
No corrosion
observed
S
l
i
g
h
t
Upon addition of
K3Fe(CN)6
turned yellow
green
turned yellow
pH
Basic
Neutral
Turned blue
Acidic
turned yellow
neutral
pH
Basic
Neutral
Upon addition of
K3Fe(CN)6
turned Yellow
green
Turned yellow
c
o
r
r
o
s
i
o
n
NO3
H 2O
Red brown
ppt formed; dull
color of nail
Brown ppt
formed;
Turned blue
Acidic
Turned yellow
neutral
Se
tC
Na
PO4
SCN
H2
SO4
H 2O
Na
concentrated
rusting on the tip
After
standing overnight
White ppt
(error); cloudy
mixture
Brown ppt
formed
Gas evolved;
Upon addition of
K3Fe(CN)6
Turned Yellow
green
pH
basic
Turned Yellow
neutral
Turned blue
Acidic
Brown ppt
Turned yellow
neutral
formed;
concentrated
rusting on the tip
Table 12.2 Observations of the reaction of K3Fe(CN)6 with FeSO4
KFeSO4
Reaction b/w K3Fe(CN)6
Fe(CN)
and
FeSO
3
6
4
Light
Rusty
V.
Agar Set-ups
Straight nail
Bent nail
Changes overnight
Discussion
Based on our three objectives, the results were derive from the
experiment. The tables tell the factors that could affect the corrosion of
iron.
However, in the acidic solutions, the results from Table ___ shows
that the nail corroded varying on the acid used. The HCl reacted to form
brown rust while the HNO3 reacted to form red brown rust, and lastly,
H2SO4 producing orange brown rust. The acids dissociation forms H + ions
and it is a reactant in the overall redox reaction below.
2Fe(s)
+
O2 (g)
+
4H+(aq)
2Fe2+(aq)
+
2H2O(l)
Thus, we increase the concentration of H+ ions shifting the redox forward to
form Fe2+ ions and water. The concentration of H + in the reaction:
4Fe2+(aq)
O2 (g)
(4+2x)H2O (l)
+8H+(aq)
is not increased since the this reaction occurs in the anode and the overall
redox is in the cathode.
Upon addition of K3Fe(CN)6 to each mixture with nail Table ___ suggest;
basic mixtures just retained the color of the K 3Fe(CN)6 which is yellow green,
acidic mixtures produces blue precipitate, and salt and water turned yellow. The
reaction of K3Fe(CN)6 and FeSO4 produces a blue green colored mixture with a
blue precipitate in it. This blue precipitate is an iron blue called Turnbulls blue. It
signifies the reaction when Fe 2+ is treated with K3Fe(CN)6 (Petrucci et al, 2011).
The FeSO4 dissociate into Fe2+ and SO42-, and the Fe2+ reacts with K3Fe(CN)6 to
produce the blue precipitate. Thus, acidic mixtures that turned blue has evidence
of having Fe2+ ion in the solution showing oxidation.
In the second part of the experiment, the set up was putted in an agar
solution to retain the location of color and rust formation. K 3Fe(CN)6 and
phenolphthalein was added to detect the presence of Fe 2+ ion and basic region of
the nail respectively. The next factor which is the application of mechanical
stress was tested. After overnight, the straight nail appeared to have rust all
throughout it. The body of the nail is colored pink thus a basic region which is
the site of reduction (O2 (g)
+
2H2O (l)
+ 4e
4OH-(aq)) reaction due
to the presence of OH in the product side. The tip and head of the nail appeared
to be dark blue (presence of Turnbulls blue) which specifies the oxidation site.
Since the reduction occurs in the cathode and the oxidation at anode, the body
of the nail serves as the cathode while its head and tip as the anode. However,
upon application of mechanical stress by bending the nail, the nail appeared to
have a Turnbulls blue at the bent portion thus the oxidations sites were
increased to three (tip, head, and bent portion). Because the strained metal is
more active thus more anodic than unstrained metal, the nail preferentially
oxidized at portions like this. This is similar to the preferential rusting of a dented
automobile fender (Petrucci et al, 2011).
The third part of the experiment was about the effect of contact with
other metals on the rusting of iron. After overnight stand of nail coiled with Cu
strip, the nail was still rusted. It is so that iron can be electroplated with Cu and
be protected from rust, but once the coating is cracked, the underlying iron
starts to corrode. Since iron is more active than Cu, it undergoes oxidation and
copper plating undergoes reduction half-reactions. Thats why the copper strip is
pink whilst the iron is dark blue and rusted according to Table ___.
2e-
Cu
Oxidation Half-reactions: Fe
Fe2+
2e-
Overall reaction:
Fe
Cu2+
Cu
Fe2+
While in the zinc strip coiled on iron, the zinc coats the iron which is
known as galvanized iron. Since zinc is more active compared to iron, the iron is
still protected from rusting even if the zinc plating is broken. Zinc is oxidized
instead of iron and corrosion of zinc protects it from further corrosion. The faint
white precipitate in the zinc strip mentioned in Table __ is characterized by zinc
ferricyanide as the reaction of K3Fe(CN)6 with Zn. The part of the nail uncovered
with zinc was colored pink thus a reduction site.
2e-
Fe
Oxidation Half-reactions: Zn
Zn2+
2e-
Overall reaction:
Zn
Fe2+
Fe
Zn2+
The zinc serves as the anode and the oxidation site while the iron as
the cathode and reduction site (Petrucci et al, 2011).
VI.
Conclusion
Lastly, contact with other metals affect the rusting of metal concerned.
The metal with the most active or most anodic (characterized by less
standard reduction potential) will be the one to be corroded and the other will
be the cathode of the reaction.
VII.
Literature Cited/Bibliography
-Chang, R., Goldsby, K. A, Chemistry 11th Edition, McGraw-Hill
Publishers, McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, NY 10020, 2013
-Petrucci, R. H., Herring F.G., Madura, J. D., Bissonnette, C., General
Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications 10 th Edition, Pearson
Prentice Hall, Pearson Canada Inc., Toronto, Ontario, 2011
-Torio, M.A. O., Revilleza, Ma. J. R., et al, Laboratory Instruction
Manual for CHEM 17.1: General Chemistry II Laboratory, General
Chemistry and Chemical Education Division, Institute of Chemistry,
CAS, UPLB, Los Baos, Laguna, 2012
-Zumdahl, S. S., Zumdahl S. A. et al, Chemistry, 8 th Edition, Brooks
Cole, Cengage Learning, 10 Davis Drive, Belmont, CA, USA, 2010