Dissolution mechanism of Fe₃O₄ scale by 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid: an ab initio molecular metadynamics...

Using the ab initio molecular metadynamics method, the adsorption of the structure of 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) on the Fe₃O₄ surface and subsequent detachment of Fe atoms from the surface were simulated, and the dissolution mechanism by which HEDP dissolves Fe₃O₄ scale at room temperature while other organic acids cannot was elucidated. The adsorbed hydroxyl groups, water and HEDP on the Fe₃O₄ surface play a synergistic role in detaching the Fe ions, which increases the coordination number of the Fe atoms and weakens the original Fe-O bond strength. In addition, the strong coordination ability and flexible molecular structure of HEDP also facilitate dissolution of Fe₃O₄ scale by breaking down the chemical bonds and forming Fe-HEDP complexes. The free energy surface for the dissolution reaction shows a low barrier, and the descaling reaction is easily accomplished.