Trimethylamine N-oxide Trimethylamine N-oxide Trimethylamine "N"-oxide (TMAO) is an organic compound with the formula (CH)NO. It is in the class of amine oxides. Although the anhydrous compound is known, trimethylamine "N"-oxide is usually encountered as the dihydrate. It is a product of the oxidation of trimethylamine, a common metabolite in animals. Both the anhydrous and hydrated materials are white, water-soluble solids. Trimethylamine "N"-oxide is an osmolyte found in saltwater fishes, sharks, rays, molluscs, and crustaceans. It is considered as a protein stabilizer that may serve to counteract urea, the major osmolyte of sharks, skates and rays. It is also higher in deep-sea
Metal oxide adhesion exposed to the interface can react to form oxides. After the initial oxide monolayer is formed, new layers begin to build and the ions must be able to diffuse through the oxide in order to increase thickness of the oxide. The rate of oxidation is controlled by how fast these ions are able to diffuse through the material. As the thickness of the oxide increases, the rate of oxidation decreases because it requires the atoms to travel a further distance. This rate can quantified by calculating the rate of diffusion of vacancies or ions using Fick’s first law of diffusion.