A simple model for multicomponent etching

We consider the situation where a multicomponent solid is etched using one or more acids. Of fundamental interest is the rate of surface etching but when this involves multicomponent surface reactions, it becomes unclear how the overall rate can be estimated. In this paper, we sketch a simple model designed to determine the effective etching rate by means of an atomic scale model of the etching process. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.