Enhanced zinc corrosion mitigation via a tuned thermal pretreatment in an alkaline solution containing an organic inhibitor

A short-term exposure of zinc (Zn) electrodes in polyethylene glycol (PEG) containing alkaline electrolytes at a temperature range of 45–65 °C significantly reduces the corrosion rate of the Zn in the strong alkaline solutions. The enhanced characteristics of the protective film formed during this pretreatment process is attributed to a substantial reduction in the cross-sectional “diameter” of the hydrated inhibitor molecules, due to a decrease in the hydration number at warmer temperatures. One can expect that “slimmer” organic molecules with a lower cross-sectional dimension, having a lower hydration number, will constitute a denser surface layer, providing enhanced isolation of the neighborhood active sites at the Zn anode. Implementing this approach in alkaline batteries utilizing Zn anodes may result in battery performance enhancement. Graphical abstract ᅟ