Cathodic Activation of Magnesium

The cathodic activation of magnesium has been studied in a wide range of conditions using electrochemical cycling.

The are several key characteristics of cathodic activation, including pH dependence, and its manifestation in several metals (other than magnesium).

Cathodic activation implies an enhanced ability to support water reduction (i.e. the cathodic reaction) on surfaces that have undergone anodic exposure or some dissolution. This activation is capable of leading to superfluous hydrogen, which is then also a key contributor to the so-called ‘negative difference effect’, or, persistent hydrogen evolution.

A number of experiments are combined in order to provide a holistic description of the cathodic activation effect, and its physical origins – which is of key significance to understanding electrochemistry of reactive metals.