Nagaland University-led team discovers rare-earth compounds for sustainable corrosion protection

An international team of researchers led by Nagaland University has identified how lanthanide salts, a class of rare-earth compounds, can serve as next-generation, environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors.

This cutting-edge research, published in one of the highest-ranked international journals, charts a path for industrial applications in sectors such as oil and gas, marine engineering, automotive manufacturing, and renewable energy infrastructure.

Corrosion inhibitors are chemicals that slow down or prevent the corrosion (gradual degradation) of metals when exposed to air, water, chemicals, or other environmental factors. With global industries under increasing pressure to replace hazardous materials with sustainable alternatives, this research arrives at a crucial moment. It offers both a blueprint for future research and a strategic guide for industries aiming to adopt eco-friendly corrosion protection technologies.


The research suggests that the corrosion inhibition potential of inorganic salts remains unexplored despite their association with many benefits and opportunities such as low toxicity, compatibility, long-term stability, and the ability to protect against corrosion in solution and coating phases, among other benefits. The potential of lanthanide salts in green corrosion inhibitors is also examined, emphasising the possibilities for sophisticated characterisation methods, AI prediction, and computational design.

Many sectors, including the oil and gas sector, face significant challenges from electrochemical degradation, or the corrosion of metallic materials, due to material deterioration and loss of mechanical qualities. This could result in safety hazards, environmental effects, and significant financial losses.

Inorganic salts show promise as sustainable substitutes for conventional harmful corrosion inhibitors like chromates, molybdates, and nitrites, among others, for modern applications.

This research looks at employing inorganic salts for next-generation sustainable corrosion protection. These eco-friendly salts provide excellent corrosion protection by inhibiting the anodic and cathodic reactions by forming surface oxides and hydroxides and blocking the diffusion of corrosive species to the metal surface.

This research, which is a significant leap for sustainable materials science in India, was undertaken by eight Ph.D. scholars from the Corrosion and Electrochemistry Research Group (CERG), Department of Chemistry, Nagaland University, under the mentorship of Prof. Ambrish Singh.

The findings have been published in a landmark review article titled ‘Lanthanide Salts in Sustainable Corrosion Protection: Chemistry, Progress, Mechanism, Challenges and Opportunities’ in Coordination Chemistry Reviews.

Congratulating the research team, Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University, 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. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik added, “The university extends its appreciation to all collaborating scientists, partner institutions, and funding bodies whose dedication has made this achievement possible. We look forward to working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure that this innovation benefits both the environment and the economy.”

Elaborating further, Prof. Ambrish Singh, Department of Chemistry, Nagaland University, 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—qualities essential for green and sustainable engineering.”

Singh, also a visiting professor at Al-Farabi National Kazakh University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, said, “International collaboration played a pivotal role in shaping the work. Dr. Chandrabhan Verma and Dr. Akram Alfantazi from the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, UAE, contributed their global expertise in corrosion science and materials engineering, enriching the review with an international perspective on industrial implementation.”