Comparative Electrochemical Study of Pure Magnesium Behavior in Ringer’s and Hank’s Solutions

Abstract

A corrosion study of high purity magnesium in two simulated physiological solutions (Ringer’s solution and Hank’s solution) is reported. The electrochemical behavior of pure magnesium rotating disc electrode (RDE) was examined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) techniques. The rotation affects the potentiodynamic polarisation curves and makes a shift in the anodic branches because of the dissolution of the corrosion layer. The EIS results showed the presence of three-time constant attributed to formation of the protective film on the Mg surface, the faradic process and the adsorption phenomena. The formation of a compact layer on magnesium surface, offers a higher corrosion protective ability for Mg. The thickness of this layer increase subsequently with increase in immersion time. The magnesium surface morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composition and the microstructure of the corrosion product film were carried out using X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Brucite, calcite and magnesium calcite were detected in both medium, while aggregated particles containing a high concentration of phosphorus were formed on Mg in Hunk’s solution.