Initial micro-galvanic corrosion behavior between Mg_(2)Ca and α-Mg via quasi-in situ SEM approach and first-principles calculation

The initial micro-galvanic corrosion behavior of Mg-30wt%Ca alloy only containing Mg_(2)Ca andα-Mg was studied by immersion testing in a 0.9%Na Cl solution at 37°C.The quasi-in situ SEM and TEM results show that Mg_(2)Ca corroded easier thanα-Mg,indicating that Mg_(2)Ca acted as an anode.The work function(Φ)for Mg_(2)Ca calculated by first-principles is significantly lower compared to that forα-Mg.The Volta potential measured by a scanning Kelvin probe force microscope reveals that the Mg_(2)Ca had a relatively low Volta potential(ψ)value.The lowerΦandψvalues for Mg_(2)Ca indicate a lower electrochemical nobility,which is consistent with the experimental phenomenon.