Abstract
Biodiesel is a promising alternative fuel. However, it causes enhanced corrosion of automotive materials, especially of copper based components. In the present study, corrosion mechanism of copper was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Compositional change of biodiesel due to the exposure of copper was also investigated. Corrosion patina on copper is found to be composed of Cu2O, CuO, Cu(OH)(2) and CuCO3. Dissolved O-2, H2O, CO2 and RCOO- radical in biodiesel seem to be the leading factors in enhancing the corrosiveness of biodiesel. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.