EQCM and XPS analysis of 1,2,4-triazole and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole as copper corrosion inhibitors in chloride solution

In this study, the influence of the amino functional group in the 1,2,4-triazole at position C3 (the 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole compound), on the surface layer formation and surface chemistry of these two Cu corrosion inhibitors is explored. Special attention is devoted to the orientation of these two molecules and the way they bond to the Cu surface. With the aim of obtaining electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, the article discusses why differences in the corrosion inhibition effectiveness of these two molecules exist. Moreover, the thicknesses of the inhibitor surface layers formed on the Cu are determined.