2-Mercaptobenzimidazole as a copper corrosion inhibitor: Part II. Surface analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

In Part I of this study, the high corrosion inhibition effectiveness of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBIH) in 3 wt.% NaCl solution was unambiguously proven. In Part II, using angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XP5), the surface chemical structure and composition of adsorbed MBIH on Cu from the same solution was investigated. It was found that MBIH molecules are directed toward the Cu surface through their N and S atoms. The MBIH layer thickness is 1.9 +/- 0.5 nm, as determined from a detailed analysis of the background in the XPS spectra. Tentative MBIH orientations on Cu were suggested based on the XPS measurements. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.