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The Effects of Orthophosphate in Drinking Water on the Initial Copper Corrosion Using Atomic Force Microscopy
Citation:
Daniels, S., D. A. LYTLE, AND J. Garno. The Effects of Orthophosphate in Drinking Water on the Initial Copper Corrosion Using Atomic Force Microscopy. Presented at American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Washington, DC, August 16 - 20, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the publis.
Description:
Corroding of copper piping used in household drinking water plumbing may potentially impacts consumer’s health and economics. Copper corrosion studies conducted on newly corroding material with atomic force microscopy (AFM) may be particularly useful in understanding the impact of water quality on corrosion at the nanometer scale. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of pH and corrosion inhibitors on the morphology of corrosion deposits formed on the copper coupons with time. Copper coupons were exposed to various water chemistries including (e.g., phosphates) for 6h and 24h. The formation growth and development of corrosion by-product of corroding copper surface were invested on the coupons. AFM views of the copper surfaces revealed within 6h obvious morphology differences of the corrosion deposited with the addition of orthophosphate to the water. Analysis of copper corrosion at a fundamental level may advance our understanding and our ability decrease copper levels in drinking water.
