Electrochemical and morphological characterisation of polyphenazine films on copper

The morphology of films of the phenazine polymers poly(neutral red) (PNR), poly(brilliant cresyl blue) (PBCB), poly(Nile blue A) (PNB) and poly(safranine T) (PST), formed by potential cycling electropolymerisation on copper electrodes, in order to reduce the corrosion rate of copper, has been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The copper surface was initially partially passivated in sodium oxalate, hydrogen carbonate or salicylate solution, in order to inhibit copper dissolution at potentials where phenazine monomer oxidation occurs, and to induce better polymer film adhesion. SEM images were also taken of partially passivated copper in order to throw light on the different morphology and anti-corrosive behaviour of the polyphenazine films. Analysis of the morphology of the polymer-coated copper with best anti-corrosive behaviour after 72 h immersion in 0.1 M KCl, Cu/hydrogen carbonate/PNB, showed that the surface is completely covered by closely packed crystals. By contrast, images of PST films on copper partially passivated in oxalate solution, that had the least protective behaviour, showed large amounts of insoluble corrosion products after only 4 h immersion in 0.1 M KCl.