Film formation in trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium diphenylphosphate ([P6,6,6,14][dpp]) ionic liquid on AA5083 aluminium alloy

Whilst ionic liquids (IL) have been shown to inhibit corrosion on some reactive metals and alloys by forming a surface film, e.g. Li and Mg, understanding of the interaction between ionic liquids and aluminium is lacking. This research study investigated the viability of film formation on AA5083 Aluminium Alloy by electrochemical treatments in the trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium diphenylphosphate ([P6,6,6,14][dpp]) IL. Two-step anodic treatments were performed on AA5083 in the IL, followed by a comparison of the corrosion behaviour of the IL-treated samples with that of a control. It has been revealed that the two-step IL-treatment led to reduced current densities on AA5083 under cyclic voltammetry scan in the IL before and after the IL-treatment. Lower corrosion rates have been shown on all samples treated in IL at room temperature. Surface characterisation showed a non-uniform porous film on the 50°C IL-treated sample with a film thickness ranging between 37nm and 155nm. The IL-film enhanced the corrosion resistance of AA5083 by protecting the Al-matrix and Fe-rich intermetallic particles (IMPs). Although findings of this study suggest similar IL-film formation as that on Li and Mg, more research needs to be conducted to optimise the electrochemical treatment conditions and ultimately to develop a robust IL-film formation procedure for corrosion protection.