Corrosion mechanism of copper in palm biodiesel

Biodiesel is a promising alternative fuel. However, it causes enhanced corrosion of automotive materials, especially of copper based components. In the present study, corrosion mechanism of copper was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Compositional change of biodiesel due to the exposure of copper was also investigated. Corrosion patina on copper is found to be composed of Cu2O, CuO, Cu(OH)2 and CuCO3. Dissolved O2, H2O, CO2 and RCOO− radical in biodiesel seem to be the leading factors in enhancing the corrosiveness of biodiesel.

► Corrosion of copper in biodiesel increases with the increase of immersion time.
► The corrosion patina is found to be composed of CuO, Cu2O, CuCO3 and Cu(OH)2.
► Green CuCO3 was found as the major corrosion product.
► The mechanisms governing corrosion of copper in palm biodiesel are discussed.