Microstructural characterization and corrosion behavior of lead, bismuth and antimony tellurides prepared by melting

Highlights: •We have assessed the corrosion behavior of lead, bismuth and antimony tellurides. •The corrosion behavior has been investigated in naturally aerated 0.1 M NaCl solution. •We have used both dc and ac electrochemical measurements. •PbTe shows a better corrosion behavior compared to the other tellurides. •The better corrosion behavior of PbTe is ascribed to a more stable corrosion products layer. -- Abstract: The corrosion behavior of lead, bismuth and antimony tellurides (PbTe, Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3) was investigated in naturally aerated 0.1 M NaCl solution by open circuit potential and impedance spectroscopy measurements. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) were used to characterize the samples prior to and after the electrochemical tests. All the investigated tellurides exhibit a one-phase microstructure, as evidenced by SEM characterization. The electrochemical results showed that in sodium chloride solution the corrosion resistance of the PbTe intermetallic compound was higher than that of bismuth and antimony tellurides owing to a more stable corrosion products layer