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

The corrosion behavior of lead, bismuth and antimony tellurides (PbTe, Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3) was investi- gated 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 com- pound was higher than that of bismuth and antimony tellurides owing to a more stable corrosion prod- ucts layer.