Influence of potassium dichromate-Zn2+ system on corrosion inhibition of rebar steel in simulated concrete pore solution

Abstract

The inhibition efficiency (IE) of Potassium dichromate - Zn²⁺ system in controlling corrosion of rebar steel in Simulated Concrete Pore Solution (SCPS) prepared in well water in the absence and presence of Zn²⁺ has been investigated by mass loss study. It can be seen from the data obtained that formulation consisting of 250 ppm of K₂Cr₂O₇ and 50 ppm of Zn²⁺ provides 98 % of inhibition efficiency. Inhibition was found to increases with an increasing concentration of Zn²⁺. Polarization study confirms the formation of inhibitor film formed on the rebar steel surface. The nature of the protective film formed on the rebar steel surface was examined by UV-Visible, FTIR, CV, SEM, Edx and AFM spectral studies. The results obtained shows that the K₂Cr₂O₇ could serve as an effective inhibitor for the corrosion of rebar steel in simulated concrete pore solution.