Projects / Programmes
Adhesion mechanisms of nanostructured coatings on metal substrates for biofouling and corrosion control in aqueous environment
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.04.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Materials science and technology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T450 |
Technological sciences |
Metal technology, metallurgy, metal products |
nanostructured surfaces, biofouling, protection of metal materials, corrosion, surface characterisation
Researchers (2)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
05675 |
PhD Monika Jenko |
Neurobiology |
Head |
2005 - 2007 |
0 |
| 2. |
18475 |
PhD Aleksandra Kocijan |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2005 - 2007 |
0 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
All structures in marine environments suffer from aggressive biofouling, which is economically costly, and its control imposes environmental burdens through release of biocides. Current non-biocidal coatings are unsuitable for most applications. Hence there is a ‘technology gap’ demanding innovation. The biofouling process involves interfacial interactions determined within a few nanometers of a surface. Control of interfacial phenomena requires, therefore, a capability for molecular-level engineering of surfaces. The objective of the project is to study innovatory, non-biocidal solutions to the problems of aquatic biofouling, using a range of molecular surface engineering approaches. Novel, nanoscale surfaces will be evaluated and characterized physically by using fundamental analytical techniques, such as XPS, FE-AES, FE-SEM, WDX, and EDX for the physico-chemical analysis of interfacial interactions. The goal will be to determine the substrate-side characteristics of test coatings, i.e. surface groups of substrates and bonding mechanisms between the selected test coating materials and substrates. Another factor to consider is that coatings are often applied to substrates using some form of primer, which can enhance final coating performance significantly. Therefore a detailed characterization of surface groups allows a better understanding of adhesion mechanisms and then the possibility of optimizing the interaction with different types of organic and inorganic coatings. It has been recognized that the biofouling is also responsible for microbiologically-induced corrosion in marine environments. Therefore the corrosion characteristics of coatings will be also determined. The results will be used to modify the models and refine the surfaces in an iterative approach. The most promising coatings will be suitable for further development as practical surfaces for end-use applications in the areas of ship hull coatings, pleasure craft coatings, membrane filters, aquaculture equipment, instrumentation, water-inlets, and heat exchangers.
