Electrochemical corrosion behavior of CeO2 nanoparticle reinforced Sn-Ag based lead free nanocomposite solders in 3.5wt.% NaCl bath

Abstract

The corrosion behavior of lead free Sn-3.5Ag and Sn-3.5Ag alloy reinforced with different amounts of CeO2 nanoparticles is investigated in 3.5wt.% NaCl solution. Polarization and electrochemical impedance studies reveal that the corrosion current density (icorr), the corrosion potential (Ecorr), and double layer capacitance (Cdl) decrease, while the charge transfer (Rct)/polarization resistance (Rp) increase with the incorporation of CeO2 nanoparticles (up to an optimum of ~12wt.% of CeO2 nanoparticles). The corrosion product, SnCl2 is detected on the surface of Sn-Ag alloy which is coarse and loosely adherent to the surface, while Sn-Ag/CeO2 possess finer corrosion products intact to the surface and thus increases passivity.