Use of EIS, ring-disk electrode, EQCM and Raman spectroscopy to study the film of oxides formed on iron in 1 M NaOH

Different electrochemical techniques (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), ring-disk electrode, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), and in situ Raman spectroscopy) have been employed to study the behaviour of the passive film formed on iron in alkaline medium simulating pore solution in fresh concrete. The study, based. on low scan rate cyclic voltammetry performed over the entire electrolyte stability domain, allows for establishing the influence of the redox activity developing in the oxides layer on the electrochemical behaviour of the system and, thus, to get valuable information on the applicability of classical electrochemical techniques employed to assess corrosion of steel in concrete. The passive film is based on a magnetite-type structure which, in partially reversible processes, can be oxidised and reduced depending on the electrode potential. Those redox processes mask the corrosion process itself. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.