The anodic behavior of Fe in 2:1 acidic AlCl3-1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (AlCl3-EMIC) ionic liquid was investigated in this paper. Anodic polarization and chronoamperometry was measured using three-electrode system. The valence state of dissolved Fe was calculated by potentiostatic process. The surface morphologies of Fe were characterized using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the oxide film would restrain the dissolution of Fe. After the oxide film was removed
Fe began to dissolve at the potential of -0.35 V versus Pt. The anodic current density increased rapidly to a maximum with the positive shift of potential and than decreased abruptly. The product existed in the form of Fe(Ⅱ). After galvanostatic process at 2 mA·cm-2
the surface of Fe showed a pitting morphology
which became homogeneous as time prolonged. With a larger anodic current applied (15 mA·cm-2)
no obvious corrosion occurred on the surface of Fe electrode with precipitate formed.