Passive Thin Film Coating through Electrodeposition of Salicylideneaniline

Basic salicylideneaniline compound was electro-oxidized using mild steel electrode through cyclic voltammetry in alkaline medium. Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis indicates the formation of thin organic film that high in ionic impedance. Current suppression detected in the cyclic voltammogram during the five CV cycles indicates an irreversible reaction with the mild steel surface becoming more passive with increase in number of cycles increased. This is due to the formation of organic layer on the mild steel surface that acts as a barrier for the electron transfer and making it difficult to further oxidize salicylideneaniline. Surface morphology of salicylideneaniline deposited on mild steel surface was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of scan rate potential on the deposition of salicylideneaniline was also studied. The current peak increases with increase in scan rate and the peak also shifted to the more positive potentials due to the diffusion-controlled process. Slow scan rate was favored for optimum electrodeposition of salicylideneaniline.