Corrosion Engineering (Practical)

Name: Farwa Naeem Roll No: 16MME-S2-317

Semester: 6th Session: 2016-20

Date of Submission: 19/11/2019

Experiment No. 2
Identify types of corrosion cell and measuring its potential difference.

Lab Instructor Signature: ________________

Grade/Marks: _______________
Figure 1: Concentration Cell demonstration

Figure 2: Photograph of Concentration cell

Table 1: Results of Concentration cell

Anode Cathode Potential Polarity

(mV)
Dilute CuSO4 Conc. CuSO4 4 Positive (+)
Voltmeter voltage = 2000 mV

Figure 3: Photograph of Temperature cell

Table 2: Results of Temperature cell

Anode Cathode Potential Polarity

(mV)
Low Temp. High Temp. 8 Positive (+)
(Room Temp.) (40℃)
Voltmeter voltage = 2000 mV
Experimental Title
Identify types of corrosion cell and measuring its potential difference.

Demonstration no. 1
Concentration Cell
Concentration Corrosion Cells may occur when a metal is exposed to an environment
containing varying levels of electrolytes either of different substances or of the same
substance in different amount.
Copper electrode in contact with the dilute solution of copper sulphate (CuSO 4) form anode
and the other copper electrode in contact with conc. CuSO 4 from cathode. Current flow from
positive to negative electrode through salt bridge (conc. KCl) i.e. from cathode to anode.
Whereas electrons flow in opposite direction. Anode is electron donor and cathode electron
receiver. Varying concertation of electrolyte cause cell formation and ultimately
commencement of corrosion process. Is a spontaneous process and have positive potential
difference. Potential difference is calculated using voltmeter.
Anodic reaction
Cu → Cu+2 + 2e-

Demonstration no. 2
Temperature Cell
In such cells, two electrodes are of same metal, but one is maintained at a higher temperature
than the other by some external source.
The copper electrode in aqueous salt solutions at high temperature becomes anode and copper
electrode at low temperature becomes cathode. Current flow from positive to negative
electrode through salt bridge (conc. KCl) i.e. from cathode to anode. Copper dissolves from
the hot area and deposits on the cold area. Varying temperature of electrolyte cause cell
formation and ultimately commencement of corrosion process (Thermogalvanic corrosion). Is
a spontaneous process and have positive potential difference. Potential difference is
calculated using voltmeter.
Anodic reaction
Cu → Cu+2 + 2e-
Figure 4: Demonstrating Corrosion current by an oxygen concentration cell

Figure 5: Photograph of oxygen differential cell

Table 3: Results of oxygen differential cell

Anode Cathode Potential Polarity

(mV)
Non-aerated Aerated 2 Positive (+)
(Low O2) (High O2)
Voltmeter voltage = 2000 mV

Figure 6: Photograph of Electrolytic cell under observation

Table 4: Results of Electrolytic cell

Anode Cathode Current Polarity

(Amp)
Cu Steel 0.25 Positive (-)
Voltmeter voltage = 2000 mV
Demonstration no. 3
Oxygen Differential Cell
This occur where there is a difference in the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) between
two electrolytes. Electrodes are of same metal. Common terms used are, crevice corrosion,
oxygen screening and poultice action.
Oxygen starved copper electrode is anodic, while the copper electrode with free access to
oxygen are cathodic. The difference in oxygen concentration produces a potential difference
and causes current to flow and commencement of corrosion process. Is a spontaneous process
and have positive potential difference. Potential difference is calculated using voltmeter.
Anodic reaction
Cu → Cu+2 + 2e-
Cathodic reaction
O2 + 2H2O + 4e- → 4(OH)-

Demonstration no. 4
Electrolytic Cell
A type of electrochemical cell in which chemical reaction is not spontaneous. Electric current
is passed through the solution using external mean. Potential difference is also taken negative
i.e. E= -ve. Whereas metallic path (ionic path) is through electrolyte. The electrolyte is the
aqueous solution of a salt of the respective metal. Electrolytic cell is used in electroplating.
Anode is made of the metal (Cu) is to be deposited and cathode of the object (steel) on which
metal is deposited. The direction is also reversed, of electron flow in electrolytic cells.
Reduction takes place at the cathode and oxidation occurs at the anode.
Anodic reaction
Cu → Cu2+ + 2e-
Cathodic reaction
Fe2+ + 2e- → Fe
Figure 7: Photograph of Single Electrode cell (In Acid Solution)

Figure 8: Photograph of Single Electrode cell (In Alkaline Solution)

Figure 9: Photograph of Single Electrode cell (In Aerated Acid Solution)

Demonstration no. 5
Single Electrode Cell (Acidic Solution)
As steel electrode was dipped in acidic solution white bubbles appeared, indicating the
release of hydrogen gas. Here iron from steel act as anode as it loses its electrons on
interacting electrolyte. Whereas pH factor of electrolyte cause reduction reaction within the
electrolyte, hence act as cathode. Solution was acidic in nature.
Anodic reaction (Oxidation)
Fe → Fe2+ + 2e-
Cathodic reaction (Reduction)
2H2 (aq.) + 2e- → H2 (g) ↑

Demonstration no. 6
Single Electrode Cell (Alkaline Solution)
As steel electrode was dipped in alkaline solution less H2 bubbles formed because of Redox
reaction. Is spontaneous reaction with positive potential difference. Electrolyte is basic in
nature.
Reaction
O2 (g) + 2H2O (aq.) + 4e- → 4OH-

Demonstration no. 7
Single Electrode Cell (Aerated Acid Solution)
Acid solution was made aerated by providing oxygen through external mean. As steel
electrode was dipped in aerated acidic solution small bubbles were formed indicating less H 2
formation and confirming the formation of water. The possible reaction in aerated acidic
solution.
Reaction
O2 (g) + 4H+ (aq.) + 4e- →2H2O (aq.)
Figure 10: Photograph of Electrochemical cell

Table 5: Results of Electrochemical cell

Anode Cathode Potential Polarity

(mV)
Zn + ZnSO4 Cu + CuSO4 1088 Positive (+)
Voltmeter voltage = 2000 mV

Figure 11: Photograph of pH cell

Table 6: Results of pH cell

Anode Cathode Potential Polarity

(mV)
Basic (13) Acidic (1) 337 Positive (+)
NaOH H2SO4
Voltmeter voltage = 2000 mV

Demonstration no. 8
Electrochemical Cell / Galvanic Cell / Corrosion Cell
In Electrochemical cell spontaneous chemical reaction takes place and generates electric
current. It consists of two half cells, connected electrically by a salt bridge (conc. KCl) and
have an anode & cathode of dissimilar metals in an electrolyte of corresponding metals.
Here anode is Zn in ZnSO4 solution whereas cathode is Cu in CuSO4 solution. Current flows
from anode to cathode. If the concentration of one of the electrolytes increases, the number of
cations and anions increases thus the potential difference of the cell also increase. A
voltmeter is used to measure the cell potential difference.
Anodic reaction
Zn → Zn2+ + 2e-
Cathodic reaction
Cu2+ + 2e- → Cu

Demonstration no. 9
pH Cell
The anode and cathode are of same metal in pH cell, but the potential difference is generated
when both electrodes are placed in electrolyte of varying pH. Electrolyte having high pH will
make anode and the other having low pH will make cathode. Potential difference developed
across the cell can be measured by voltmeter.
Anodic reaction
M → Mn+ + ne-
Cathodic reaction
2H+ + 2e- → H2