Department of Surface Modifications and Nanostructures

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Main Research Activities of the Department

    *      Thermodynamic and kinetic study of metal/liquid interfaces in the real time domain at atomic scale. In situ investigation of morphological properties, kinetics of layer formation, adsorption of corrosion inhibitors by electrochemical (EIS, EQCM, etc.) and scanning probe techniques: scanning tunneling microscope (STM), atomic force microscope (AFM), EC STM, EC AFM).
    *      Study of the relationships between the structure and inhibition efficiency of corrosion inhibitors. Investigation of series of molecules with systematically changed structures in order to determine the functional groups responsible for increase (or decrease) in inhibition efficiency. Explanation of corrosion and inhibition mechanisms based on the molecular structural properties.
    *      Study of the relationships between the structure and inhibition efficiency of corrosion inhibitors. Investigation of series of molecules with systematically changed structures in order to determine the functional groups responsible for increase (or decrease) in inhibition efficiency. Explanation of corrosion and inhibition mechanisms based on the molecular structural properties.
    *      Development of new surface modification processes by wet chemical methods and characterization of the wettability properties. Preparation of anticorrosive mono-and multilayers on metal surfaces produced by sol-gel methods from inorganic oxides (ZrO2, SiO2 and ZrO2-SiO2 mixed systems). Investigation of surface properties (morphology and wettability) of the nanostructured coatings with AFM and dynamic contact angle meter.
    *      Anti-corrosive and anti-microbial activity of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) mono- and multimolecular (homo- and hetero) layers on different (metallic and non-metallic) surfaces; Investigation of LB films for modification of physical and chemical properties of solid surfaces.
    *      Study of microbiologically influenced corrosion and its inhibition by biostatic or biocide type chemicals. Principles of biologically influenced deterioration. Biofilm-controlled buildup of mineral structures which are designed to have particular structural and functional properties. Identification of associated biomolecules in composites.
    *      Metrology of scanning probe microscopy (STM and AFM); investigation of surface structures from 100 micrometer down to the atomic scale; investigations of morphological aspects of different surface processes as adsorption, dissolution and deposition in situ under liquid environment and ex situ in dry conditions. Investigation of biological samples as single cells, complex organic compounds, and tissues. Development of atomic force microscope technique for characterization of the local surface energy of nanostructured materials. Measurement and statistical evaluation of adhesion forces between different surfaces and AFM tip. Modification of the atomic force microscope sensor allows the control the interactions between the surface and the tip during the measurements. Hydrophobicity and ionic interactions can be varied according to the functionality present on the surface of the modified tip. It might be also a great tool to detect specific interaction locally after the immobilization of the complementary molecules on the sensor and the detected surface.
    *      Metrological investigations in field of image distortions and image corrections in SPM practice. Extension of the nanoindentation methodology beyond the hardness and E-modulus determination to investigate the deformation characteristics of thin layers. Application the AFM as a nanotribology tool to investigate wear on small samples.
    *      Synthesis of carbon nanotubes by electrolysis on graphite electrodes; cleaning and functionalisation of CNTs of different origin; preparation of CNTs for investigation in SPM and SEM; theoretical calculations of stability of CNT; investigation of the possible role of CNT in composite materials; preparation of CNT products for the application in composites.
    *      Preparation, structure, properties and surface modification of nanotubes for special applications. Poly- and nanocrystalline diamond film deposition by MW CVD for the formation of pinhole-free surface coating on the typically 3 dimensional structures (for sensor applications).
    *      Applied research on new environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors for different structural metals (carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum) in cooling water systems, investigation of the synergistic effect between inhibitor blend components. Development of new scale inhibitors for cooling and geothermal systems.