LUMAMI, Nagaland, 12 August 2025: Researchers from Nagaland University, in collaboration with international experts, have identified lanthanide salts—rare-earth compounds—as effective and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors. This discovery offers a sustainable alternative to harmful chemicals currently used in industries such as oil and gas, marine engineering, automotive manufacturing, and renewable energy.

The research, published in the high-impact journal Coordination Chemistry Reviews, demonstrates how lanthanide salts can protect metals by forming protective surface layers that prevent corrosion, while being low in toxicity and stable under harsh conditions. These qualities position lanthanide salts as promising candidates to replace traditional toxic inhibitors like chromates and molybdates.

The study was conducted by eight Ph.D. scholars from Nagaland University’s Corrosion and Electrochemistry Research Group under Prof. Ambrish Singh, with key contributions from specialists at Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi.

Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik highlighted the significance of this research in promoting safer and sustainable industrial technologies, reinforcing the university’s role in impactful scientific advancements.

The university, established in 1994, is the only central university in Nagaland, with campuses in Lumami, Kohima, and Medziphema, offering diverse academic programs and affiliating 76 colleges statewide.