Molecular transformations in interfaces and liquid media under wet ball milling of iron with N-phenylanthranilic acid

Abstract This paper provides FTIR and XPS studies on molecular transformations in interfaces and liquid media under wet ball milling of iron with N-phenylanthranilic acid (NPhA) used as a chelator and corrosion inhibitor. The initial stages of ball milling are accompanied with the formation of a variety of compounds, including complex compounds of iron, polymeric NPhA, ester groups, and non-volatile alkyl derivatives. The NPhA derivatives adsorbed on the surface stabilize the flake-like shape of particles and significantly increase their corrosion resistance in both acidic and neutral media. It has been shown that chelators/corrosion inhibitors may be successfully used as effective process controlling agents for wet ball milling of transition metals of low corrosion resistance to synthesize corrosion-resistant flake-shaped particles. Long-term milling has been shown to make towards the destruction of oxygen-containing groups, including the dehydration of NPhA itself to acridone, a polycyclic compound. The destruction of the modifying NPhA-based surface layer leads to the agglomeration of particles. The intensive destruction of the milling medium ingredients taking place during long-term milling facilitates the accumulation of oxides and carbides.