CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ANODIC FILMS FORMED ON THE Ag60Cu26Zn14 ALLOY BY THE LDI MASS SPECTROMETRY

Abstract

Precise, direct and fast methods for characterization the anodic films still have to be developed, since the conventional methods cannot be accelerated beyond the certain limits. The present work uses a laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI MS) to characterize the chemical composition of anodic film on the Ag60Cu26Zn14 alloy. The positive mode mass spectra, measured from the propan-2-ol solution of corrosion film, shows the formation of three major signals originating from the Ag+, CuCl2CuCl(H2O)+ and Cu(OH)2(CuCl)3+ species. The other ions, such as Cu+, Cu(H2O)+, CuO(H2O)+, AgCl(H2O)+, Cu(ClO)2+, AgCuCl+, Ag2Cl(H2O)3+, have a much lower intensity. It has been noted that the ion species of zinc with chlorine or oxygen where not detected.