Negative difference effect dissolution rates

Magnesium exhibits a very strange electrochemical phenomenon known as the negative-difference effect (NDE). Electrochemistry classifies corrosion reactions as either anodic or cathodic processes. Normally, the anodic reaction rate increases and the cathodic reaction rate decreases with increasing applied potential or current density. Therefore, for most metals like iron, steels, and zinc etc, an anodic increase of the applied potential causes an increase of the anodic dissolution rate and a simultaneous decrease in the cathodic rate of hydrogen evolution. On magnesium, however, the hydrogen evolution behavior is quite different from that on iron and steels. On first examination such behavior seems contrary to the very basics of electrochemical theory. 

When such a polyfunctional electrode is polarized, the net current, i, will be given by ii - 4. When the potential is made more negative, the rate of cathodic hydrogen evolution will increase (Fig. 13.2b, point B), and the rate of anodic metal dissolution will decrease (point B ). This effect is known as cathodic protection of the metal. At potentials more negative than the metaTs equilibrium potential, its dissolution ceases completely. When the potential is made more positive, the rate of anodic dissolution will increase (point D). However, at the same time the rate of cathodic hydrogen evolution will decrease (point D ), and the rate of spontaneous metal dissolution (the share of anodic dissolution not associated with the net current but with hydrogen evolution) will also decrease. This phenomenon is known as the difference effect. 

Kinetic factors may induce a variation of electrode potential with current the difference between this potential and the thermodynamic equilibrium potential is known as the overvoltage and the electrode is said to be polarized. In a plating bath this change of potential can be attributed to the reduced concentration of depositing ions in the double layer which reduces the rate of transfer to the electrode, but the dissolution rate from the metal increases. Since the balance of these rates determines the electrode potential, a negative shift in the value occurs the concentration polarization Olconc)- Anodic effects are similar but in the opposite direction. 

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