Anodic dissolution of Tc metal in HNO3 solutions

Corrosion and dissolution of Tc metal in 0.5–6.0 M HNO3 without external sources of the redox potential and under the conditions of constant-current electrolysis were studied. The dissolution rates of Tc metal without external potential in relation to the HNO3 concentration and the rates of anodic dissolution of Tc in relation to the anodic current density and HNO3 concentration were determined. The Tc(VII) current efficiencies in 0.5–6.0 M HNO3 solutions were measured. The anodic dissolution of Tc is characterized by the linear growth of the concentration of the dissolved Tc species in solution with time. Examination of the sample surfaces by scanning electron microscopy allows a conclusion that the corrosion degradation has intercrystallite character.