Comparative Study on the Corrosion Behaviour of Copper and Aluminium Electrodes in Seawater-Based Electrolysis systems

Nurin Fatini Afalatun; Sharifah Khadijah Alhabshi Syed Mokhdzar; Siti Aishah Mohamad Rizal; Nurul Izzatulhusna Khairul Anuar; Solhan Yahya; Atikah Wan Nafi

doi:10.56532/mjsat.v6iS1.804

Authors

Nurin Fatini Afalatun Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7048-7515
Sharifah Khadijah Alhabshi Syed Mokhdzar Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia.
Siti Aishah Mohamad Rizal Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia.
Nurul Izzatulhusna Khairul Anuar Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia.
Solhan Yahya Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8575-2823
Atikah Wan Nafi Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4810-4258

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56532/mjsat.v6iS1.804

Keywords:

Corrosion, Seawater, Electrochemical, Electrode

Abstract

Seawater emerges as a promising source of renewable energy that generates electricity by utilizing the conductive properties of saline water. A seawater-lamp-based energy device can produce low-voltage power through electrochemical reactions between dissimilar metal electrodes. Nonetheless, the presence of a complex ionic composition of seawater creates a harsh corrosive environment, hence reducing the electrode’s longevity. Despite increasing interest in seawater batteries, a research gap remains regarding the comparison of the role of chloride concentration on corrosion behaviour in natural seawater versus simplified salt solutions in active electrical circuits. Copper (Cu) and aluminium (Al) electrode pairs, which offer high potential difference and low material costs, were selected to address the lack of studies on accelerated corrosion data for seawater batteries. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of varying chloride concentrations on electrode corrosion by comparing natural seawater with prepared sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. Cu-Al electrode pairs were connected to a 2.5 V light bulb and utilized an impressed current. Corrosion rates were determined using the weight-loss method, while the surface characterization of electrode deposition was further determined by optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The findings suggest that although seawater yielded higher electrical performance and brightest illumination, it also exhibited rapid deterioration, with Cu and Al exceeding corrosion rates of 40 mm/yr and 8 mm/yr, respectively. Overall, the study suggests that seawater is a viable energy source for the development of low-cost, off-grid lighting due to its abundant availability and low environmental impact.

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