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

Vox News Albania

Last updated: May 25, 2026

Gold's exceptional resistance to corrosion, tarnish, and rust is a well-known characteristic attributed to its chemical nobility. Recent research from Tulane University sheds new light on the atomic-level mechanisms behind this inertness, revealing the critical role of surface structure. This understanding has implications for harnessing gold's reactivity in practical applications like catalysis.

Key Findings: Gold's resistance to chemical reactions, particularly oxidation (rusting), stems from its "chemical nobility," meaning it has very low reactivity with other substances like oxygen.
A new study by Tulane University scientists explains that the stability of gold's surface atomic structure, typically a compact hexagonal arrangement, creates a natural shield. This structure prevents oxygen molecules from easily breaking down into individual atoms, which is the initial step in oxidation.
The researchers demonstrated that altering this surface structure, for instance, into more open or square arrangements, significantly increases gold's reactivity. In some cases, reactivity can be billions to trillions of times faster compared to normal gold surfaces.
This explains why gold nanoparticles can be highly reactive, as they may not always form the stable, compact structure found in bulk gold, leading to more exposed and chemically active areas.
The findings are significant for practical applications, especially in catalysis. While gold's inertness is beneficial, controlling its surface structure could lead to the development of more efficient catalysts, for example, in converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.