Magnetic field effect on autocatalysis: Ag and Cu in concentrated nitric acid

The partial suppression of corrosion of Ag and Cu in concentrated nitric acid solution by a magnetic field of up to 5 T was studied. The corrosion current density of these metals was found to diminish with magnetic field and rotation speed in a rotating disk electrode experiment. The suppression of corrosion is associated with removal of the catalyst HNO(2) from the electrode and passivation of the electrode surface. The Lorentz force was identified as the driving force responsible for the partial suppression of corrosion. A model based on the partial areas associated with active and passive regions on Ag and Cu electrodes is introduced to explain the dependence of the current density on the applied magnetic field.