# Detection of T91 Steel Corrosion with a Fe3+-Enhanced Fluorescence Probe

Authors: Tie Feng Xia; Li Zhang; Da Quan Zhang; Li Xin Gao
Journal: Journal of Chemistry
 (2015)

---

## Abstract

We study a rhodamine-based fluorescent compound (FD2) as corrosion indicator for T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution. FD2 has a desirable property of “turn-on” fluorescence emission via forming a complex with Fe3+ ions. The varying of fluorescence intensity is linked to that of weight-loss of T91 steel. Early attack on T91 steel was detected using fluorescence microscopy. This nondestructive method of initial corrosion detection can be used during maintenance before serious damage happens.


---

## Body

## 1. Introduction

T91 alloy is widely used as tube material for heater or super-heater in the thermal power equipment because of its excellent creep resistance. Metal corrosion is one of the major damage reasons influencing the structural integrity of equipment. Usually, corrosion is a dissolving of metal caused by an electrochemical reaction, involving the electron loss and ionization of metal. For iron-based alloy corroding in water solution, the anodic reactions can be represented as(1)Fe⟶Fe2++2e(2)Fe2++H2O⟶FeOH++H+(3)3FeOH++H2O⟶Fe3O4+5H++2e
The cathodic reaction in a near neutral solution involves reduction of the dissolved oxygen according to
(4)O2+2H2O+4e⟶4OH-
The cathodic reaction in the acidic solution is as follows
(5)O2+4H++4e⟶2H2O(6)2H++2e⟶H2↑
Metal loses electron at the anode and ionization leads to corrosion dissolution. At the cathode, electrons are captured and damage such as hydrogen embitterment can occur. Detection of corrosion at its earliest stages is essential to avoid critical engineering failures, which will reduce maintenance costs and improve the safety of the electric generating units. Several nondestructive techniques are implemented to detect corrosion, including ultrasonic testing, eddy current, and electrochemical approaches [1, 2]. Early corrosion detection by fluorescent compounds receives scientific interests due to their nondestructive and sensitive properties [3, 4]. People believe that probes with a fluorescence enhancement signal are much more efficient for early corrosion detection [5, 6]. Studies have mainly employed either fluorescent dye added in the solution itself or nonfluorescent agents in the solution that form fluorescers and emit fluorescence after corrosion electrochemical reaction at interfaces. Most studies have examined initiation of localized corrosion based on pH sensitive dyes for aluminium alloys [7, 8]. However, so far there are relatively few reports on the fluorescent detection of general corrosion and pitting corrosion for iron and steel [9, 10]. As for steel substrates, the ferric ion is well known as fluorescence quencher owing to its paramagnetic nature [11].In this paper, a rhodamine-based compound (FD2) is designed to detect T91 steel corrosion. Figure1 shows the proposed FD2-Fe3+ bonding structure. Fluorescence enhanced method is established to check T91 steel corrosion. The polarization curves are used to study the electrochemical property of T91 steel with and without FD2 in 3% NaCl solution.Figure 1
Chelation of FD2 via binding with Fe3+ ion.


## 2. Experimental Section

### 2.1. Materials

The used steel specimens were from T91 alloy with the following composition (wt%): C 0.08–0.12; Si 0.20–0.50; Mn 0.30–0.60; Cr 9–12; Mo 0.085–1.05; V 0.18–0.25;P≤0.02; S≤0.01; Ni≤0.40 and Fe balance. FD2 was facilely synthesized from rhodamine 6G and diethylenetriamine according to the procedure reported in [7]. All other reagents were of analytical grade and employed as received.


### 2.2. Fluorescence Spectra

The fluorescence emission of FD2 in the presence of different metal ions was examined using a Shimadzu RF-5301 fluorescence spectrophotometer. The excitation wavelength is 510 nm. The scan range was set from 520 nm to 640 nm for emission spectra. FeCl3, FeSO4, Zn(NO3)2, BaCl2, Al(NO3)3, CuSO4, Na2SiO4, and MnSO4 were used as the sources of metal cations.


### 2.3. Weight-Loss Tests

Weight-loss test was carried out in a thermostat water bath (30°C). The suspended coupons with the size of 40 mm × 10 mm × 0.5 mm were abraded with emery paper (01#, 04#, and 06#) and washed and degreased with alcohol. These coupons were then fully immersed in the 250 mL 3% NaCl solution containing 0.1μM FD2. After different immersion time, the corrosion solution was sent for fluorescence analysis. The coupons were rinsed with water and erased with a plastic brush, then dried with hot air, and weighed to determine the weight loss.


### 2.4. Optical and Fluorescence Images

T91 steel specimens were removed at different immersion time and rinsed with enough deionized water to get rid of the physically adsorbed FD2. The specimens were investigated with an Olympus SZX7 Stereo Fluorescence Microscope. A mercury vapor lamp with excitation between 460 and 550 nm in combination with a 515 nm filter was used. The optical and the fluorescence microscopic examination were compared to determine the corrosion detection effect.


### 2.5. Electrochemical Measurements

Electrochemical measurements were performed in a conventional three-electrode cell connected to a computer-controlled electrochemical workstation (Solartron 1287 Electrochemical Interface coupled with a 1260 Impedance/Gain-Phase Analyzer). Zplot and CorrWare software packages were used for the electrochemical analysis. The electrochemical cell was open to the air and the test solution was not stirred or deaerated. T91 working electrodes (WE) were sealed with epoxy resin so that only the circular cross section (0.5 cm2) was exposed. Saturated calomel electrode (SCE) was used as reference electrode; the counter electrode was a platinum electrode. EIS measurements were done at the open-circuit potential in the frequency range from 0.02 Hz to 100 kHz. A sine wave with 5 mV amplitude was used to perturb the system. Polarization studies were carried out at a scan rate of 0.5 mVs−1. All potentials were presented in mV (SCE).


## 2.1. Materials

The used steel specimens were from T91 alloy with the following composition (wt%): C 0.08–0.12; Si 0.20–0.50; Mn 0.30–0.60; Cr 9–12; Mo 0.085–1.05; V 0.18–0.25;P≤0.02; S≤0.01; Ni≤0.40 and Fe balance. FD2 was facilely synthesized from rhodamine 6G and diethylenetriamine according to the procedure reported in [7]. All other reagents were of analytical grade and employed as received.


## 2.2. Fluorescence Spectra

The fluorescence emission of FD2 in the presence of different metal ions was examined using a Shimadzu RF-5301 fluorescence spectrophotometer. The excitation wavelength is 510 nm. The scan range was set from 520 nm to 640 nm for emission spectra. FeCl3, FeSO4, Zn(NO3)2, BaCl2, Al(NO3)3, CuSO4, Na2SiO4, and MnSO4 were used as the sources of metal cations.


## 2.3. Weight-Loss Tests

Weight-loss test was carried out in a thermostat water bath (30°C). The suspended coupons with the size of 40 mm × 10 mm × 0.5 mm were abraded with emery paper (01#, 04#, and 06#) and washed and degreased with alcohol. These coupons were then fully immersed in the 250 mL 3% NaCl solution containing 0.1μM FD2. After different immersion time, the corrosion solution was sent for fluorescence analysis. The coupons were rinsed with water and erased with a plastic brush, then dried with hot air, and weighed to determine the weight loss.


## 2.4. Optical and Fluorescence Images

T91 steel specimens were removed at different immersion time and rinsed with enough deionized water to get rid of the physically adsorbed FD2. The specimens were investigated with an Olympus SZX7 Stereo Fluorescence Microscope. A mercury vapor lamp with excitation between 460 and 550 nm in combination with a 515 nm filter was used. The optical and the fluorescence microscopic examination were compared to determine the corrosion detection effect.


## 2.5. Electrochemical Measurements

Electrochemical measurements were performed in a conventional three-electrode cell connected to a computer-controlled electrochemical workstation (Solartron 1287 Electrochemical Interface coupled with a 1260 Impedance/Gain-Phase Analyzer). Zplot and CorrWare software packages were used for the electrochemical analysis. The electrochemical cell was open to the air and the test solution was not stirred or deaerated. T91 working electrodes (WE) were sealed with epoxy resin so that only the circular cross section (0.5 cm2) was exposed. Saturated calomel electrode (SCE) was used as reference electrode; the counter electrode was a platinum electrode. EIS measurements were done at the open-circuit potential in the frequency range from 0.02 Hz to 100 kHz. A sine wave with 5 mV amplitude was used to perturb the system. Polarization studies were carried out at a scan rate of 0.5 mVs−1. All potentials were presented in mV (SCE).


## 3. Results and Discussion

### 3.1. Fluorescence Emissions of FD2 in Aqueous Solution

FD2 was a pale pink solid and its molecular structure was supported by IR analysis. The peak at 1583 cm−1 is caused by νC–N and δN–H. The bands around 3473 cm−1 can be assigned to νN–H. Although FD2 is a derivative of rhodamine 6G, it is nearly colorless in 3% NaCl solution, suggesting that the spirocyclic forms exist mainly. Figure 2(a) shows the fluorescence emission of 0.1 μM FD2 in the presence of different amounts of Fe3+ ions in 3% NaCl solution. FD2 presented no fluorescence signal without Fe3+ ions. When Fe3+ ions were introduced to the solution, the characteristic fluorescence emission at 550 nm was observed. Besides, the fluorescence intensity improved significantly with the increase of Fe3+ concentration. During steel corrosion, other alloy elements may also dissolve into cations. The fluorescence enhancement effects of FD2 by other metal ions were given in Figure 2(b). Obviously, other ions, such as Ba2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Zn2+ and SiO42-, were unable to arouse a distinct fluorescence response, while Al3+ and Fe2+ ions have tiny fluorescence response compared with Fe3+ ions. The distinct discrimination between Fe3+ and other ions provided an opportunity for FD2 to detect Fe3+ in aqueous system containing some coexisting ions, showing that FD2 has a very practical corrosion detection effect.Figure 2
Fluorescence spectra of FD2 (0.1μM) in 3% NaCl solution containing different concentrations of Fe3+ ions (a) and other metal ions (b).
(a)
(b)The relationship between fluorescence intensity and Fe3+ concentration was presented in Figure 3. It is indicated that the enhanced extents of the fluorescence were in good proportion to the Fe3+ concentrations from 30 μM to 250 μM. It shows FD2 can be used to monitor the concentration of Fe3+ in the neutral water solution to some extent.Figure 3
Correlations analysis of fluorescence intensity of 0.1μM FD2 with Fe3+ ions concentration.The effect of pH on the fluorescence intensity of FD2 in the water solution is shown in Figure4.Figure 4
Effect of pH on the fluorescence intensity of 0.1μM FD2 in water solution without (a) and with 200 μM Fe3+ ions.From Figure4, we can see that the fluorescence intensity of FD2 increased gradually with the decrease of pH values. Fluorescence emission of FD2 increased sharply in the presence of 200 μM Fe3+ ions. Fluorescence intensity has the similar variation tendency with the change of pH values for FD2 with and without Fe3+ ions. This shows FD2 has a reorganization of Fe3+ ions in a wide pH range.


### 3.2. FD2 as a Corrosion Indicator for T91 Steel

In order to examine the correlation between fluorescence emission and T91 steel corrosion, the weight-loss of T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution was tested. The fluorescence spectra of the test solution were determined at the same time. The relationship between weight-loss (ΔW) and fluorescence intensities (IF) is shown in Figure 5. It is clear the values of ΔW and IF follow similar variation trends.Figure 5
Variation of weight-loss (ΔW) and fluorescence intensities (IF) for T91 steels in 3% NaCl solution.After T91 steel specimens were immersed in 3% NaCl solution, and Fe3+ ions from corrosion dissolution lead to enhance the fluorescence emission of FD2. The fluorescence intensity varies periodically with the weight-loss of T91 steel specimens. More weight-loss of steel has, the higher concentration of the dissolved Fe3+ ions is, and the stronger fluorescence emission exists. Thus, FD2 can be used for corrosion detection of T91 steel in aqueous solution. However, as shown in Figure 3, the quantitative determination for Fe3+ ions by FD2 during corrosion process still needs further study.Figure6 displays the optical and fluorescence images observed in 3% NaCl solution during the weight-loss test. At first, no significant corrosion was observed by the optical microscope after 2 h immersion. Meanwhile, a few bright red spots appear from the fluorescence image. The red spots were due to the formation of the FD2-Fe3+ complexes. With prolonging immersion time, some corrosion spots were observed from the optical images. Red bright spots increase and become larger from the fluorescence images. FD2 reports the onset of corrosion by red bright areas. Clearly, the response for corrosion was more visible for the fluorescence images than that for the optical images. It shows that FD2 acts as an initial corrosion indicator. This is critical to the timely maintenance of metal equipment before too much damage occurs.Figure 6
Optical images (a) and fluorescence images (b) observed at different immersion times during weight-loss test.
(a)
(b)


### 3.3. Inhibition of FD2 on Steel Corrosion

A suitable corrosion indicator should not have any corrosive effect on the metal concerned. Figure7 shows the impedance spectra of T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution after 1 h immersion with and without FD2. A capacitive loop was observed for the T91 steel electrode, suggesting that the corrosion of T91 steel is controlled by the charge transfer process. The equivalent circuit employed to analyze the impedance plots is inserted in Figure 7. In the circuits, Rs stands for the solution resistance, Rct the charge-transfer resistance, and Cdl the double layer capacitance. The impedance parameters are given in Table 1. From Table 1, we can see that the presence of FD2 gives a larger Rct value, showing that FD2 has no corrosion effect for T91 steel.Table 1
Electrochemical parameters for T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution.
Concentration
R
s (Ω·cm2)
C (10−5 Fcm−2)
R
ct (Ω·cm2)
blank
8.876
13.66
267.1
0.1μM FD2
6.764
12.97
347.0Figure 7
Nyquist plots of T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution without and with 0.1μM FD2.Figure8 is the polarization curves of T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution after 1 h immersion. The polarization parameters are shown in Table 2. It is obvious that the anodic corrosion process of T91 steel was suppressed by FD2. The presence of FD2 shifts the corrosion potential in a positive direction and decreases the corrosion current density significantly. Thus, FD2 can be used as a corrosion indicator without any corrosion damage risks.Table 2
Electrochemical parameters for T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution.
Concentration
Ecorr (V)
Icorr (μ Acm−2)
blank
−0.498
5.713
FD2
−0.483
1.897Figure 8
Polarization curves of T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution without and with 0.1μM FD2.It was believed that the pitting corrosion of steel in halide-containing solution involves the following steps:(7)Fe⟶Fe2++2e(8)Fe2++2Cl-⟶FeCl2(9)FeCl2+2H2O⟶FeOH2+2Cl-+2H+(10)4Fe2++O2⟶4Fe3++2O2-(11)Fe3++3H2O⟶FeOH3+3H+(12)FeOH3⟶γ-FeOOH+H2O(13)2γ-FeOOH⟷Fe2O3+H2O
The initiation of pitting attacks by the aggressive Cl− ions could be attributed to competitive adsorption between Cl− ions and oxygenated species (OH− and H2O dipoles) at the active sites on oxide covered layer [12]. The adsorbed Cl− ions can penetrate through the passive layer especially at its point defects and flaws with the assistance of a high electric field across the passive film to reach the base metal surface and accelerate the local anodic dissolution [13]. FD2 and the anodic dissolved Fe3+ ions have the following reaction:
(14)2FD+Fe3+⟶FD⋯Fe3+⋯FD
The formation of the complex on the film surface acts as barrier layers to diffusion of Cl− anions from attacking the passive film. The complex of FD-Fe3+-FD moves Ecorr towards more positive potential and retards the anodic dissolution reaction effectively. It is reported that the iron-inhibitor complex formed on steel surface can be detected by fluorescence spectral analysis [14]. In the present study, Fe3+ ions produced from localized corrosion on T91 steel surface are monitored in-situ by FD2, whose fluorescence intensity has Fe3+-enhanced features. The dissolution of the FD-Fe3+-FD complex also leads to the improvement of the fluorescence emission in 3% NaCl solution.


## 3.1. Fluorescence Emissions of FD2 in Aqueous Solution

FD2 was a pale pink solid and its molecular structure was supported by IR analysis. The peak at 1583 cm−1 is caused by νC–N and δN–H. The bands around 3473 cm−1 can be assigned to νN–H. Although FD2 is a derivative of rhodamine 6G, it is nearly colorless in 3% NaCl solution, suggesting that the spirocyclic forms exist mainly. Figure 2(a) shows the fluorescence emission of 0.1 μM FD2 in the presence of different amounts of Fe3+ ions in 3% NaCl solution. FD2 presented no fluorescence signal without Fe3+ ions. When Fe3+ ions were introduced to the solution, the characteristic fluorescence emission at 550 nm was observed. Besides, the fluorescence intensity improved significantly with the increase of Fe3+ concentration. During steel corrosion, other alloy elements may also dissolve into cations. The fluorescence enhancement effects of FD2 by other metal ions were given in Figure 2(b). Obviously, other ions, such as Ba2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Zn2+ and SiO42-, were unable to arouse a distinct fluorescence response, while Al3+ and Fe2+ ions have tiny fluorescence response compared with Fe3+ ions. The distinct discrimination between Fe3+ and other ions provided an opportunity for FD2 to detect Fe3+ in aqueous system containing some coexisting ions, showing that FD2 has a very practical corrosion detection effect.Figure 2
Fluorescence spectra of FD2 (0.1μM) in 3% NaCl solution containing different concentrations of Fe3+ ions (a) and other metal ions (b).
(a)
(b)The relationship between fluorescence intensity and Fe3+ concentration was presented in Figure 3. It is indicated that the enhanced extents of the fluorescence were in good proportion to the Fe3+ concentrations from 30 μM to 250 μM. It shows FD2 can be used to monitor the concentration of Fe3+ in the neutral water solution to some extent.Figure 3
Correlations analysis of fluorescence intensity of 0.1μM FD2 with Fe3+ ions concentration.The effect of pH on the fluorescence intensity of FD2 in the water solution is shown in Figure4.Figure 4
Effect of pH on the fluorescence intensity of 0.1μM FD2 in water solution without (a) and with 200 μM Fe3+ ions.From Figure4, we can see that the fluorescence intensity of FD2 increased gradually with the decrease of pH values. Fluorescence emission of FD2 increased sharply in the presence of 200 μM Fe3+ ions. Fluorescence intensity has the similar variation tendency with the change of pH values for FD2 with and without Fe3+ ions. This shows FD2 has a reorganization of Fe3+ ions in a wide pH range.


## 3.2. FD2 as a Corrosion Indicator for T91 Steel

In order to examine the correlation between fluorescence emission and T91 steel corrosion, the weight-loss of T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution was tested. The fluorescence spectra of the test solution were determined at the same time. The relationship between weight-loss (ΔW) and fluorescence intensities (IF) is shown in Figure 5. It is clear the values of ΔW and IF follow similar variation trends.Figure 5
Variation of weight-loss (ΔW) and fluorescence intensities (IF) for T91 steels in 3% NaCl solution.After T91 steel specimens were immersed in 3% NaCl solution, and Fe3+ ions from corrosion dissolution lead to enhance the fluorescence emission of FD2. The fluorescence intensity varies periodically with the weight-loss of T91 steel specimens. More weight-loss of steel has, the higher concentration of the dissolved Fe3+ ions is, and the stronger fluorescence emission exists. Thus, FD2 can be used for corrosion detection of T91 steel in aqueous solution. However, as shown in Figure 3, the quantitative determination for Fe3+ ions by FD2 during corrosion process still needs further study.Figure6 displays the optical and fluorescence images observed in 3% NaCl solution during the weight-loss test. At first, no significant corrosion was observed by the optical microscope after 2 h immersion. Meanwhile, a few bright red spots appear from the fluorescence image. The red spots were due to the formation of the FD2-Fe3+ complexes. With prolonging immersion time, some corrosion spots were observed from the optical images. Red bright spots increase and become larger from the fluorescence images. FD2 reports the onset of corrosion by red bright areas. Clearly, the response for corrosion was more visible for the fluorescence images than that for the optical images. It shows that FD2 acts as an initial corrosion indicator. This is critical to the timely maintenance of metal equipment before too much damage occurs.Figure 6
Optical images (a) and fluorescence images (b) observed at different immersion times during weight-loss test.
(a)
(b)


## 3.3. Inhibition of FD2 on Steel Corrosion

A suitable corrosion indicator should not have any corrosive effect on the metal concerned. Figure7 shows the impedance spectra of T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution after 1 h immersion with and without FD2. A capacitive loop was observed for the T91 steel electrode, suggesting that the corrosion of T91 steel is controlled by the charge transfer process. The equivalent circuit employed to analyze the impedance plots is inserted in Figure 7. In the circuits, Rs stands for the solution resistance, Rct the charge-transfer resistance, and Cdl the double layer capacitance. The impedance parameters are given in Table 1. From Table 1, we can see that the presence of FD2 gives a larger Rct value, showing that FD2 has no corrosion effect for T91 steel.Table 1
Electrochemical parameters for T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution.
Concentration
R
s (Ω·cm2)
C (10−5 Fcm−2)
R
ct (Ω·cm2)
blank
8.876
13.66
267.1
0.1μM FD2
6.764
12.97
347.0Figure 7
Nyquist plots of T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution without and with 0.1μM FD2.Figure8 is the polarization curves of T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution after 1 h immersion. The polarization parameters are shown in Table 2. It is obvious that the anodic corrosion process of T91 steel was suppressed by FD2. The presence of FD2 shifts the corrosion potential in a positive direction and decreases the corrosion current density significantly. Thus, FD2 can be used as a corrosion indicator without any corrosion damage risks.Table 2
Electrochemical parameters for T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution.
Concentration
Ecorr (V)
Icorr (μ Acm−2)
blank
−0.498
5.713
FD2
−0.483
1.897Figure 8
Polarization curves of T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution without and with 0.1μM FD2.It was believed that the pitting corrosion of steel in halide-containing solution involves the following steps:(7)Fe⟶Fe2++2e(8)Fe2++2Cl-⟶FeCl2(9)FeCl2+2H2O⟶FeOH2+2Cl-+2H+(10)4Fe2++O2⟶4Fe3++2O2-(11)Fe3++3H2O⟶FeOH3+3H+(12)FeOH3⟶γ-FeOOH+H2O(13)2γ-FeOOH⟷Fe2O3+H2O
The initiation of pitting attacks by the aggressive Cl− ions could be attributed to competitive adsorption between Cl− ions and oxygenated species (OH− and H2O dipoles) at the active sites on oxide covered layer [12]. The adsorbed Cl− ions can penetrate through the passive layer especially at its point defects and flaws with the assistance of a high electric field across the passive film to reach the base metal surface and accelerate the local anodic dissolution [13]. FD2 and the anodic dissolved Fe3+ ions have the following reaction:
(14)2FD+Fe3+⟶FD⋯Fe3+⋯FD
The formation of the complex on the film surface acts as barrier layers to diffusion of Cl− anions from attacking the passive film. The complex of FD-Fe3+-FD moves Ecorr towards more positive potential and retards the anodic dissolution reaction effectively. It is reported that the iron-inhibitor complex formed on steel surface can be detected by fluorescence spectral analysis [14]. In the present study, Fe3+ ions produced from localized corrosion on T91 steel surface are monitored in-situ by FD2, whose fluorescence intensity has Fe3+-enhanced features. The dissolution of the FD-Fe3+-FD complex also leads to the improvement of the fluorescence emission in 3% NaCl solution.


## 4. Conclusions

The “turn-on” fluorescence emission via chelation between FD2 and Fe3+ ions can be used for corrosion detection of T91 steel in 3% NaCl solution. The fluorescence intensity in the test solution also varies periodically with the weight loss of T91 steel. The initiation of localized corrosion can be indicated by the bright red fluorescence spots on T91 steel surface. FD2 provides a useful tool for early nondestruction corrosion detection of T91 steel based on its Fe3+-amplified fluorescence property.



---

*Source: 654802-2015-03-26.xml*