All programmes > Surface Science and Engineering

Surface Science and Engineering (B-KUL-H0S51A)

6 ECTSEnglish50 Second termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Seveno David (coordinator) |  Molina Lopez Francisco |  Seveno David |  Soccol Dimitri
POC Materiaalkunde

Aims

Students gain a basic understanding of the atomistic or molecular structure of surfaces and their links with wetting, adhesion, patterning and corrosion. They learn different techniques to characterize surfaces wettability, chemical composition and topography. They receive an overview over the most current surface treatment processes for protection and aesthetics, as well as of micro/nano-patterning techniques to impart surfaces with unique electrical, optical and wetting functionalities. Finally, the students recognize the different types of corrosion, understand the underlying mechanisms and can identify appropriate protective measures (appropriate design, material choice, use of coatings, adaptation of the working environment, special electrochemical protection and monitoring techniques). Eventually, they can propose a suitable surface treatment process to tailor specific functional properties.

Previous knowledge

Fundamentals of physical, chemical and materials science.

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

5 ects. Surface Science and Engineering: Lecture (B-KUL-H0S51a)

5 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture40 Second term
Molina Lopez Francisco |  Seveno David |  Soccol Dimitri
POC Materiaalkunde

Content

Surface characterization

  • Physical chemistry of surfaces
  • Surface topography, roughness
  • Surface chemistry, surface charges
  • Surface tension
  • Wettability, Capillarity, Work of adhesion
  • Surface functionalization e.g. silanization

 

Surface treatments

  • Surface cleaning: alkaline cleaners, pickling, electrocleaning, sandblasting…
  • Hot dip galvanizing: reaction between Fe and Zn, process parameters, properties…
  • Thermal spraying: chemical, electrical, kinetics, applications and post-treatments.
  • Micro/nanopatterning: serial vs parallel methods, additive vs subtractive, vacuum vs printing, applications (microelectronics, transparent conductors, antireflection coating, superhydrophobicity coating…) and review of related research papers.
  • Plasma physics, physical vapor deposition (evaporation, sputtering, reactive processes…) and chemical vapor deposition (thermal and plasma-activated).
  • Electrolytic and electroless plating: basic electrochemistry concepts, electrodeposition, autocatalytic and ion exchange plating, practical examples…
  • Paint: composition and functionalities (anticorrosive, self-cleaning, antimicrobial, etc.).

 

Surface protection

  • Corrosion and electrochemistry: General principles of electrochemistry, applied on corrosion processes and reaction rates, E-pH diagrams.
  • Corrosion types and their mechanisms: Introduction to various corrosion types and how to recognize them, illustrated by examples ‘from-the-field’, difference between (wet) electrochemical corrosion and dry corrosion.
  • Prevention and mitigation: strategies to decrease corrosion rates
  • Testing – Monitoring – Inspection: techniques to characterize corrosion mechanisms, accelerate degradation and monitor / inspect installations in service

Course material

Slides, notes and articles provided by the lecturers.

1 ects. Surface Science and Engineering: Exercises (B-KUL-H0S52a)

1 ECTSEnglishFormat: Practical10 Second term
Molina Lopez Francisco |  Seveno David |  Soccol Dimitri
POC Materiaalkunde

Content

Demonstrations, lab and plant visits.

Course material

Handouts.

Format: more information

Demonstrations and plant visits.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Surface Science and Engineering (B-KUL-H2S51a)

Type : Exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Oral
Type of questions : Open questions, Closed questions
Learning material : List of formulas, Calculator

Explanation


The equations of the course will be available in a formularium at the examination.