An international research team led by Nagaland University has identified the potential of lanthanide salts—a class of rare-earth compounds—as next-generation, environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors.
The study, published in Coordination Chemistry Reviews, outlines possible industrial applications across oil and gas, marine engineering, automotive manufacturing, and renewable energy infrastructure. Corrosion inhibitors are chemicals used to slow or prevent the degradation of metals caused by exposure to air, water, chemicals, or other environmental factors.
The research examines the corrosion-inhibiting potential of inorganic salts, noting that the field remains largely underexplored despite benefits such as low toxicity, compatibility, long-term stability, and the ability to protect metals in both solution and coating phases. Lanthanide salts are highlighted for their suitability in green corrosion inhibition, with the review exploring their role in advanced characterisation, AI-based prediction, and computational design.
Industries such as oil and gas face significant challenges from electrochemical degradation, which can lead to material deterioration, loss of mechanical properties, safety hazards, environmental risks, and financial losses. Inorganic salts are presented as sustainable alternatives to conventional inhibitors such as chromates, molybdates, and nitrites. According to the researchers, these salts work by forming surface oxides and hydroxides, which block the diffusion of corrosive species and inhibit anodic and cathodic reactions.
The study was undertaken by eight PhD scholars from the Corrosion and Electrochemistry Research Group (CERG) in the Department of Chemistry at Nagaland University, under the mentorship of Prof. Ambrish Singh. Their review article, Lanthanide Salts in Sustainable Corrosion Protection: Chemistry, Progress, Mechanism, Challenges and Opportunities, has been published by Elsevier in a journal with an impact factor of 23.5.
Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Jagadish Kumar Patnaik said, “With global industries facing mounting pressure to transition from toxic substances to sustainable technologies, this discovery provides a strategic pathway for adopting safe, effective, and environmentally responsible corrosion protection methods. The findings not only address urgent industrial needs but also underscore Nagaland University’s commitment to impactful research with global relevance.”
Prof. Ambrish Singh said, “Our research integrates comprehensive studies on the chemistry, mechanistic pathways and protective properties of lanthanide salts alongside critical evaluations of their performance, limitations, and prospects. Unlike traditional toxic corrosion inhibitors based on chromates or heavy metals, lanthanide salts offer low toxicity, strong adhesion to metal surfaces, and enhanced stability in aggressive environments.”
Prof. Singh, also a visiting professor at Al-Farabi National Kazakh University, Kazakhstan, noted the role of international collaboration, including contributions from Dr. Chandrabhan Verma and Dr. Akram Alfantazi of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, UAE, in providing a broader industrial perspective.
The eight contributing PhD scholars—Therola Sangtam, Limasenla Longkumer, Vetezo Venuh, Vilabielie Rutsa, Akhiu K. Yimchunger, Azen Aier, Liweu Letro, and T. Ngipwem Hellen—brought together their research expertise to produce what the university describes as an extensive and forward-looking review.
Also read | Kolkata doctor waives ₹7 lakh bill for 6-year-old Mizoram girl’s heart surgery