Role of zinc compounds on the formation, morphology, and adsorption characteristics of β-FeOOH rusts

To simulate the corrosion of galvanized steel in marine zone, beta-FeOOH was prepared by aging the FeCl(3) solutions containing ZnCl(2) and zinc rusts such as ZnO and zinc hydroxychloride (Zn(5)(OH)(8)Cl(2)center dot H(2)O:ZHC). Adding ZnCl(2), ZnO, and ZHC inhibited the crystallization and particle growth of beta-FeOOH and the inhibitory effect was in order of ZHC approximate to ZnO > ZnCl(2). The adsorption of H(2)O and CO(2) was suppressed by adding ZnCl(2), ZnO, and ZHC. These results imply that the rust formed on galvanized steel in marine environment is more compact, amorphous, and hydrophobic in nature which may lead to improve the corrosion resistance. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.