Influence of Sn, Cd, and Si addition on the electrochemical performance of Al–Zn–In sacrificial anodes

Overcoming the reduction of current efficiency and stacking of corrosion products on the surface of Al–Zn–In sacrificial anodes after long-term use is of great significance for Al–Zn–In alloy as an anode material for cathodic protection of steel structures in seawater. In this study, four different sacrificial anode materials were prepared based on the Al-6Zn-0.03In (wt%) alloy without and with the addition of alloying elements of Sn, Cd, and Si, respectively. The influence of the addition of Sn, Cd, and Si on the microstructure and electrochemical performance of the Al–Zn–In anode was investigated by optical microscopy and electrochemical measurements. The results show that the introduction of Sn, Cd, and Si changes the microdendrite structure of Al–Zn–In to equiaxed grain. The added Sn, Cd, and Si alloys have more negative and stable working potential and uniformly dissolved morphology. The actual capacity and current efficiency of aluminum alloys increase from 2,000.6 Ah/kg and 70.7% of Al–Zn–In alloy to 2,539.4 Ah/kg and 88.6% of Al–Zn–In–Sn, 2,437.3 Ah/kg and 85.5% of Al–Zn–In–Cd and 2,500.4 Ah/kg and 88.8% of Al–Zn–In–Si alloys, respectively.