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Researchers have overturned the assumption of gold's inherent inertness, revealing that its corrosion resistance stems from an active surface reconstruction where atoms shift from a square to a hexagonal lattice to block oxygen bonding. Although the initial square arrangement is more effective at splitting oxygen molecules, the rapid transition to hexagons creates a kinetic barrier that prevents oxidation within seconds. This discovery of a dynamic, geometry-dependent protective mechanism offers new pathways for designing advanced catalysts and corrosion-resistant materials.
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Source coveringQuantum Zeitgeist
Gold Atoms Rearrange to Block Oxidation in Seconds
Quantum Zeitgeist3 min read
Unlike most metals, gold resists tarnish thanks to a rapid surface reconstruction—atoms quickly rearrange to block oxygen from bonding, preventing.
Without a rapid rearrangement of its surface atoms, gold would begin to oxidize in seconds, challenging the long-held perception of the metal’s inertness. Researchers have discovered that gold’s resistance to tarnish stems from how its atoms reconstruct from a square arrangement into hexagons, a process that actively hinders reactions with oxygen.…
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