The Passivity of Metals

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Abstract
After a survey of the various factors, depending both on the metal and on the attacking substance, that can influence the anodic dissolution of metals, the nature of the passive layer is discussed on the basis of electrochemical and optical studies. Passivation is characterized by a rapid decrease in the anodic current density as the Galvani tension is increased; this is due to the presence of a monomolecular layer, which prevents the metal ions from passing across the phase boundary. The growth of this layer is strongly influenced by transport processes, particularly with in the layer itself. The kinetics of the passivation and activation processes can be explained by the simultaneous occurrence of competing reactions which depend on the potential; exchange adsorption appears to play some part in the passive behavior of metals towards various acids.

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