LINEAR POLARIZATION AND CYCLIC VOLTAMMETRY OF ALUMINUM

The potentiostatic polarization curves, also called potentiodynamic curves for aluminum 1199 (99.99% aluminum) in one molar sodium chloride, sodium perchlorate, sodium sulfate, sodium nitrate, and sodium chromate solutions were obtained. A polynomial equation describing the above polarization curves, was then derived for each experimental run using a computer. A BASIC program is then written utilizing these equations. The BASIC program is capable of calculating the logarithm (base ten) of the current density, given the overpotential. Also the program can describe the observed anodic, or cathodic, behavior, or both, in the form of a plot (overpotential vs the logarithm of current density). Finally voltammograms of above sodium salts were studied to evaluate the feasibility of cyclic voltammetry as an analytical tool to investigate dissolution processes.