The Kinetics of the Magnesium Electrode in Thionyl Chloride Solutions

The electrochemical behavior of the magnesium electrode in thionyl chloride (TC) solutions was studied. It was found that this electrode is covered by a passivating layer which consists of some insoluble magnesium salt, probably . The properties of this layer determine the chemical and electrochemical behavior of the electrode in TC solutions. Magnesium was deposited on a nickel cathode from TC solutions containing . Magnesium deposition begins after the nickel cathode is covered by a passivating layer (consisting of reduction products of TC) in which . It was concluded that the rds for the deposition‐dissolution process of the magnesium electrode in TC solutions is not the electron‐transfer reaction, but is instead the migration of the ions through a passivating layer which covers the electrode.