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Why doesn't gold rust? Scientists discover the "atomic reason" behind the precious metal's durability

2026-05-24 21:02:47Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Why doesn't gold rust? Scientists discover the "atomic reason"
Why doesn't gold rust?

There are several reasons why gold is considered one of the most precious metals in the world, and one of the most unique is the fact that it does not rust, tarnish, or corrode easily. Unlike many other metals, it retains its yellow luster for thousands of years.

In chemistry, this property is called "chemical nobility," which implies a very low reactivity with other substances, especially with oxygen, which is the main cause of rust in common metals.

Scientists have long known that gold is very inert, but it wasn't entirely clear why this is the case at the atomic level. A new study by two chemists, Santu Biswas and Matthew M. Montemore of Tulane University in the US, offers a deeper explanation.

According to them, the secret lies in the way the atoms are aligned on the surface of gold. On gold surfaces, atoms tend to organize themselves in a very compact and regular structure, usually hexagonal in shape.

This structure is very stable and creates a natural “shield” that makes it difficult for oxygen molecules to interact with the metal surface. In practice, this means that oxygen cannot easily break down into individual atoms to begin the oxidation process, which is the first step in rusting.

The researchers found that if this surface structure is changed, gold can become much more reactive. When the atoms are not lined up in the usual tight way, but in more open or square structures, oxygen molecules can break apart much more easily.

In some cases, this happens billions to trillions of times faster than on normal gold surfaces. This also explains an interesting paradox, why gold in bulk form is so inert, while its nanoparticles can be very reactive.

At the nanoscale, gold doesn't always manage to form its usual compact structure, leaving more open and chemically active areas. These areas can more easily interact with oxygen and activate it for chemical reactions.

This discovery is important not only for understanding the nature of gold, but also for practical uses. Because of its inertness, gold is a good candidate for chemical catalysts, which help speed up reactions without being consumed themselves.

However, its low reactivity has always been a limitation. The new study suggests that by changing the surface structure of gold, scientists could create more efficient catalysts for reactions such as converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.

In essence, gold's resistance to rust is not a deliberate "strategy," but a simple consequence of its more stable atomic structure. And it is this stability, which makes it immortal to corrosion, that may also be the key to new uses in chemistry and technology.


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