The anodic dissolution of Mg in NaCl and Na2SO4 electrolytes by atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry

The dissolution of Mg has been investigated with atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry at open circuit and during potentiostatic control in chloride (NaCl) and sulfate (Na₂SO₄) electrolytes. A dissolution stoichiometry of approximately n = 2 is observed under all the conditions of these experiments with no evidence for the commonly invoked Mg⁺ intermediate. Nevertheless, in chloride electrolyte it is shown that anodic polarization results in a cathodic activation of the surface with increased hydrogen production during the polarization and an increased corrosion rate following the pulse. The formation of insoluble Mg oxides/hydroxides was also investigated in the sulfate electrolyte.