Influence of Temperature on the Corrosion Behaviour and on the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on Nickel and Stainless Steels in LiBr Solutions

Abstract

[EN] The effects of temperature and hydrogen generation on the passive behaviour of nickel, austenitic and duplex stainless steels are investigated in lithium bromide aqueous solution (992 g/l) by Open Circuit Potential (OCP), polarization curves, galvanostatic measurements and image analysis. From the polarization curves, it is observed that localised corrosion resistance decreases with temperature. It is found that temperature improves electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and reduces the energy consumption for hydrogen generation. All materials are spontaneously passive in heavy brine LiBr solutions and they remain passive after the hydrogen generation although the properties of the passive film (i.e. chemical composition of the oxide layer) modifies the electrochemical activity for the HER.