Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine chitosan, which is a good film former, as a corrosion protective coating for AA-2024-T3 aluminium alloy. The aluminium samples were first anodized to increase adhesion of the subsequently dip coated film from a chitosan-acetic acid solution. To further increase the protective ability of the chitosan coating, the coated samples were immersed in a copper ion solution for 24 h. The copper salts used were sulphate and acetate. The chitosan membranes exposed to copper ion solutions revealed a reduced permeability in comparison with the unexposed samples, and an increase in stability in aqueous solutions, as revealed by a steady state and a high open circuit potential in borax solution. From UV-Vis spectroscopic measurement of the film on ITO glasses, the reduction in permeability of the chitosan film modified by copper ions appears to be associated with copper cross linking within the chitosan structure. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.