Projects / Programmes
Physico chemical processes on the surphace layers and synthesis and application of nanoparticles
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.02.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Chemical engineering |
|
| 1.04.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
| 1.05.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T150 |
Technological sciences |
Material technology |
corrosion, steel, copper, polarization, electrochemical noise, impedance, inhibitors, chemical sensors, chemometrics, validation of new analytical methods, polypropilenes, fillers, elastomeric modifiers,polymeric micro- and nanocomposites, mixtures of polymers, monolithic porous polymeric materials, polymeric supports, polymeric membranes, modification of polymeric membranes, sonochemistry, nanoparticles, coordination compounds, phase equilibrium, partial molar volumes
Researchers (16)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
-Investigations have been performed on kinetics and reaction mechanism of corroding metal surfaces, like the group of austenitic and ferritic steels are, in until now not explored electrochemical systems, and further also on stainless steels and materials being used for implants and pure copper. Measurements are performed as well in sulphuric and hydrochloric acid as also in presence of inhibitors. In the case of implants the measurements are carried out in physiological solutions. A specific direction of investigations are the density measurements of different drugs in supercritical carbon dioxide with the purpose to obtain useful thermodynamic parameters (partial molar volumes, expansion coefficient, isothermal compressibility) being advantageous for supercritical processes.
-Important is also the introduction of new methods for the preparation of sensors (chemical, sonochemical activation of electrode surface, new membrane materials), the characterization of there potentiometric properties and the study of there surface nature. Development of analytical methods and evaluation of analytical results in accordance to international regulation ISO/IEC 17025. The aim is also optimization and validation of new analytical methods, assessment of validation parameters and statistical evaluation of results, and as well determination of measurements uncertainty of analytical results. Chemometrics is applied for modeling and optimization of analytical methods, for searching similarity between particular properties of individual parameters and for estimation of quality of results.
-Establishing the mechanism of polymeric asymmetric porous membranes formation by wet phase separation (inversion) method is the first aim of the research activity; formation mechanisms consist of elementary processes, which are not known in all details and in their succession. With chemical modification of polymeric membranes surface better seperability parameters can be achieved (fouling depression) as well as immobilization of bioactive moiety.
-Preparing new modified polymeric materials (micro- and nanocomposites, mixtures) with improved employable properties. With changing experimental conditions, particularly components compositions, we want to determine phase structure (morphology) with optimal properties. Samples will be treated with ionizing irradiation for the best compatibilization and lattice effects.
-Synthesis of nanoparticles with sonochemical method and with method of reverse micelles. Unique conditions at this kind of reactions enable synthesis of compounds that cannot be prepared by other methods. Research of synthesis and characterization of coordination compounds of hydroxylamine by fluorine complete the inorganic systematics. Results in this research will allow better understanding of natural cycling of nitrogen, where hydroxylamine is an important intermediate. Study of ternary phase equilibrium of transition metal oxides, lanthanide oxides and oxides of group II elements at elevated temperatures enable synthesis and characterization of new ternary phases with interesting structure and electromagnetic properties.
Significance for science
Research is important for improving industrial research, for environment protection, for transfer of knowledge and for education of new researchers. Research work enables implementing the faculty into international research place.In the frame of research program we also promote science and we are preparing presentations of our scientific and expert work. The results of corrosion studies are an important contribution to the fundamental knowledge in the fields of stainless steels, kinetics and reaction mechanisms of corrosion and passivation of metals, at different and also extreme conditions of their use. With different methods of preliminary treatment of steels, we can influence their corrosion resistance even before the material will be used. The ability of a surfactant molecule to adsorb on the metal surface was found to be responsible for the corrosion inhibition of the metal surface. The knowledge of the type of adsorption processes is of great importance. Selecting an appropriate inhibitor for a specific environment and metal must be done with great care: it is known that an inhibitor that protects one particular metal may accelerate the corrosion of another. Described research work will improve knowledge in analytical, organic and environmental chemistry in connection to chemometrics and metrology. On the field of metrology we perform together with nine European Universities a Joint research Euromaster study program "Measurement Science in Chemistry". A significant contribution to science is also planned in surface chemistry. Promotion of scientific and professional work in Slovenia and abroad is expected. The publication of results is established in Slovene and international journals in the field of analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, environmental chemistry, chemometrics and metrology. Research work will add to the knowledge in the field of the synthesis of polymer supports, modification of polymer supports, membrane science and separation science. We are introducing a novel principle- a porous membrane module with a new type of porous cross linked membrane. Since this is a pioneer field, many factors are unknown and it is necessary to evaluate each one separately. The results of the program are significant for the development of the state of art. In the course of the project the results were also published in reputable international journals in the field of polymer science, organic chemistry and separation technology. By our opinion Slovenia is on the level of technical development to be able to start with the production of polymeric membranes as one of the "high-tech" product with high added value. Of course adequate market research is necessary. To be able to control the morphology, which importantly influences final properties of composite materials, it is essential to know and understand the activities at the interphase. These are often studied in literature, but still not successfully explained. Explanation of the activities at the interphase of the PP/talc would contribute to easier and more successful planning of structure and properties of other polymer composites, which could enable their use in higher extent. Reaching the controlled morphology is one of the biggest limitations in the transfer of research results into the production process. In case of good results of research, there is great potential for application of other systems, developed in laboratories in industrial scale.
Significance for the country
From social and economical point the program is interdisciplinar. It is good for recognition, and improves competition at home and abroad. The results can be directly or indirectly used by Slovene chemistry, especially for chemical, pharmaceutical, food and other industries. Importance is realized through publications with high impact factors in individual research fields and by presentation of research work at international conferences. We cooperate with research groups from abroad which can be seen from our publications. Researches are attached to many corrosion problems in Slovenia, such as construction and building industry, chemical plants, power stations, medicine, etc. The knowledge of understanding corrosion processes enables us better preliminary treatment and better anti corrosion protection of metals, and also proper selection of suitable corrosion resistant materials. Handling of aggressive fluids is a problem that is very important from the standpoint of industrial applications, since it concerns the geothermal and oil industries as well as pickling, descaling, and acid cleaning of plants. Acid pickling baths are employed to remove undesirable scale (i.e. mill scale) from the surface of the metals. Once the scale is removed, the acid is then free for further attack on the metal surface. Thus, the aggressiveness of the environment makes it necessary to add chemical compounds to the operating fluid, which will act as corrosion inhibitors to minimize the metal dissolution and the consumption of acid. It is very important for technological development to analyse products according to all criteria of quality assurance and quality control of analytical results. Results of the program are also very important for Slovene industry. BIA Separations from Ljubljana is one of the leading companies in the world at the field of polymer products and separation technology. The company cooperates with Slovene pharmaceutical industry (Lek, Krka) for cleaning of pharmaceutical active compounds, vaccines and viruses. So the results of the project can help also to those companies. Results from basic science are important for the development of separation technologies and organic chemistry. Slovenia is at the technological research stage, to be able to commence with production of polymer membranes "the high tech product" with high added value, but adequate research is still needed.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
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Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
