A study of the passive films on chromium by capacitance measurement

Using capacitance measurement and Mott-Schottky analysis, the semiconducting properties of passive films formed on chromium within the passive potential range under different conditions were investigated. The study reveals a p-type behavior of the passive layers. Two semiconductive parameters, i.e., the acceptor density (N-A) and the flatband potential (E-FB), which are mainly related to composition and surface charges of the passive films, have been measured. The effect of film formation potential, passivation time, pH and composition of solutions on the parameters are discussed. N-A increases either with lowering film formation potentials or with prolonging passivation times. This is attributed to the transformation of a less hydrated oxide film into a more hydrated form. The changes of E-FB are discussed as a function of adsorptive anions and pH values of electrolyte solution. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.