The delayed action of magnesium anodes in primary batteries Part I. Experimental studies

Magnesiumnext term exhibits a previous termdelayednext term dissolution on anodic polarisation owing to a slow, field-induced breakdown of the passive film on its surface. The phenomenon depends on several factors such as the pretreatment of the anode, the composition of the solution, etc. In order to clarify the mechanism of the field-induced film-breakdown process, a detailed experimental study of the previous termdelayed actionnext term and its dependence on several experimental variables such as ageing of the anode in contact with the solution, the nature of the surfactant-coating on the previous termmagnesiumnext term anode, the anodic current density, etc., has been carried out. The results of the single electrode studies have been verified with improved $Mg - MnO_2$ dry cells. Finally, a probable mechanism based on a 'metal dissolution - film dilatation — film breakdown' model has been proposed in order to explain the previous termdelayed actionnext term under various experimental conditions