Advanced chemical stability diagrams to predict the formation of complex zinc compounds in a chloride environment.

A chemical stability map is advanced by incorporating ion complexation, solubility, and chemical trajectories to predict ZnO, Zn(OH)2, ZnCO3, ZnCl2, Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6, and Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O precipitation as a function of the total Zn content and pH of an NaCl solution. These calculations demonstrate equilibrium stability of solid Zn products often not considered while tracking the consumed and produced aqueous Zn ion species concentrations through chemical trajectories. The effect of Cl-based ligand formation is incorporated into these stability predictions, enabling enhanced appreciation for the local corrosion conditions experienced at the Zn surface in chloride-containing environments. Additionally, the complexation of Cl- with Zn2+ is demonstrated to compete with the formation of solid phases, making precipitation more difficult. The present work also extends the chemical stability diagram derivations by incorporating a Gibbs-Thompson curvature relation to predict the effect of nanoscale precipitate phase formation on species solubility. These thermodynamic predictions correlate well with experimental results for Zn corrosion in full and alternate NaCl immersion, and have far-reaching utility in a variety of fields requiring nanoscale, semiconductor, and/or structural materials.

Controlling the corrosion and cathodic activation of magnesium via microalloying additions of Ge.

The evolution of corrosion morphology and kinetics for magnesium (Mg) have been demonstrated to be influenced by cathodic activation, which implies that the rate of the cathodic partial reaction is enhanced as a result of anodic dissolution. This phenomenon was recently demonstrated to be moderated by the use of arsenic (As) alloying as a poison for the cathodic reaction, leading to significantly improved corrosion resistance. The pursuit of alternatives to toxic As is important as a means to imparting a technologically safe and effective corrosion control method for Mg (and its alloys). In this work, Mg was microalloyed with germanium (Ge), with the aim of improving corrosion resistance by retarding cathodic activation. Based on a combined analysis herein, we report that Ge is potent in supressing the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (reduction of water) upon Mg, improving corrosion resistance. With the addition of Ge, cathodic activation of Mg subject to cyclic polarisation was also hindered, with beneficial implications for future Mg electrodes.

On-demand release of corrosion-inhibiting ions from amorphous Al-Co-Ce alloys.

Controlled release technologies are often used to supply chemicals or drugs at given rates. Release often occurs on contact with solution. However, some applications, such as corrosion protection, require containment of the active species in a reservoir and their slow release when needed. Conductive polymers have been used as reservoirs for corrosion inhibitors whose triggered release occurs by galvanic reduction or ion exchange. This work shows one of the first examples of pH-controlled release of corrosion-inhibiting ions from an amorphous metallic coating where the pH change that triggers release is a consequence of the onset of corrosion. This corrosion-inhibition strategy provides further corrosion protection beyond the traditional roles of barrier and sacrificial cathodic protection using a metal coating. For instance, zinc galvanizing provides sacrificial cathodic protection and acts as a barrier, but does not supply inhibitor ions. In the coating described here, protection of an underlying structural alloy exposed at coating defects is demonstrated by inhibitor ion release in addition to barrier function and sacrificial cathodic protection.

Sudden onset of pitting corrosion on stainless steel as a critical phenomenon.

Stainless steels undergo a sharp rise in pitting corrosion rate as the potential, solution concentration, or temperature is changed only slightly. We report experiments using real-time microscopic in situ visualizations that resolve the nucleation and evolution of individual pits during the transition. They suggest that the sudden onset of corrosion is explained by an explosive autocatalytic growth in the number of metastable pits and that stabilization of individual pits takes place only later. This finding agrees with a theoretical approach treating the onset of pitting corrosion as a cooperative critical phenomenon resulting from interactions among metastable pits, and it extends perspectives on the control and prevention of corrosion onset.

Influence of polylactic acid mesh on the incidence of localized osteitis.

A biodegradable polylactic acid surgical implant, designed to facilitate dental extraction wound heading, is described. Animal studies have proved the safety and tissue compatibility of the implanted polylactic acid material. A clinical study using this material in mandibular third molar extraction sites in human subjects is reviewed. Results of that study reveal the implant to be effective in reducing the incidence of localized osteitis following mandibular third molar extractions.

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome: review of the literature and report of a case.

Any patient who has multiple cystic lesions of the jaws should be evaluated for the presence of other signs of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. The workup should include consultations with specialists in neurology, radiology, dermatology, medical genetics, and any other specialty areas where signs of symptoms may appear. It is not unusual for the oral surgeon to be the first practitioner to see such a patient, because initial complaints often refer to pain and swelling for an infected jaw cyst. The workup of this case and its treatment are typical for a patient with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.