Evidence of the Enrichment of Transition Metal Elements on Corroding Magnesium Surfaces Using Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry

What is it about?

Open Access Article. This paper investigates whether or not transition metal elements are enriching of corroding Mg surfaces and whether or not such enrichment can account for observations of enhanced cathodic activity.

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Why is it important?

This is the first paper to quantitatively show the enrichment of Fe on corroding Mg metal surfaces in addition to being trapped within the oxide/hydroxide. It also shows that Mg dissolves as a 2+ ion with no need to invoke the popular univalent Mg dissolution mechanism.