Characterization of Copper Oxide Layers by Electrochemical Methods

Abstract

SummaryThe applicability of electrochemical methods for the characterization of oxide layers on copper was examined. The oxide layers were formed at high temperature in air atmosphere and electrochemically in carbonate and bicarbonate solutions. The test methods were cathodic polarisation measurements, cyclic voltammograms and galvanostatic reduction. The composition and the thickness of oxide layers were determined from the galvanostatic curves. The reduction potential range indicates the composition of oxide layer and the reduction time indicates the thickness of the layer in the galvanostatic E-t curves. The 0,1 M Na2CO3 electrolyte gave the sharpest reduction peaks in cyclic voltammograms. The cyclic voltammograms abo proved that the oxide layers formed in air at higher temperature differ from the electrochemically formed oxide layers. Both the parabolic and the logarithmic oxidation rate laws were found to be applicable in air oxidation.