Materials World Network: Local Surface Chemistry and Atmospheric Corrosion of Cu-Zn Alloys

该奖项由休斯顿大学材料研究部颁发，旨在研究微观不均匀性在金属合金表面腐蚀中的作用。 该材料世界网络奖由金属和金属纳米结构计划共同创立和管理。本研究利用非线性光学光谱和扫描探针技术研究了Cu：Zn合金模型金属表面的大气腐蚀行为。该项目的主要目标是：1）研究Cu：Zn合金的局部大气腐蚀; 2）比较被保护的合金表面上的反应与腐蚀反应的起始。为了探测合金表面的局部区域，和频成像显微镜将用作在反应条件下形成的表面物质上的局部探针。 该技术具有基于振动光谱识别表面吸附物的亚单层的能力。此外，扫描电化学显微镜将用于识别发生腐蚀过程的表面的阴极和阳极区域。这些技术将应用于裸露和受保护的表面，以研究抑制对局部腐蚀的影响。这些研究将与瑞典斯德哥尔摩的皇家理工学院的科学家合作进行。这些研究的结果预计将提供与这些位置的分子形态相关的腐蚀活动的化学图，从而对局部腐蚀事件进行分子水平的描述。 该项目的学生将通过研究项目的设计，以及在国家会议上撰写和展示结果来发展实验和科学技能。国际交流，旅游，学生和教师在合作机构的研究经验是这个合作多学科研究的显着特点。这个多学科研究计划预计将积极影响研究团队的本科生和研究生成员。此外，学生将接触到使用和应用一些分析方法，包括先进的光谱方法来研究大气腐蚀在表面。他们还将接受材料表面表征方面的培训，重点是微观层面的腐蚀化学。 最后，这个项目将大大提高我们年轻科学家的技能和发展使用现代激光技术。 所获得的知识将提供一个详细的模型，对当地的化学腐蚀，一直很难表征到现在。计划与瑞典皇家理工学院的国际合作将为学生和教师提供在合作实验室进行研究的机会。

This award by the Division of Materials Research to University of Houston is to study the role of microscopic heterogeneities in the corrosion of metal alloy surfaces. This Materials World Network award is cofounded and managed by the Metals and Metallic Nanostructures program. This proposed research involves the use nonlinear optical spectroscopy and scanning probe techniques to study the atmospheric corrosion of a model metal alloy surface based on Cu:Zn alloy. Main objectives of the project are: 1) Study the local atmospheric corrosion of Cu:Zn alloys; and 2) Compare the reactions on protected alloys surfaces with the initiation of corrosion reactions. To probe local regions of the alloy surface, Sum Frequency Generation Imaging Microscopy will be used as a local probe on the surface species formed under reaction conditions. This technique has the ability to identify sub-monolayer of surface adsorbates based on their vibrational spectra. In addition, Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy will be used to identify cathodic and anodic regions of the surfaces where the corrosion process occurs. These techniques will be applied to bare and protected surfaces to study the effect of inhibition on local corrosion. These studies will be carried out in collaboration with scientists at Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. The results from these studies are expected to provide chemical maps of corrosion activity related to molecular speciation in those locations, and thus a molecular-level description of local corrosion events. Students on this project will be developing experimental and scientific skills through designing of the research project, and writing and presenting results at national meetings. International exchange, travel, research experience by students and faculty in the collaborating institutions are salient features of this collaborative multidisciplinary research.This multidisciplinary research program is expected to positively impact both undergraduate and graduate student members of the research team In addition, students will be exposed to in the use and application of a number of analytical methods including advanced spectroscopic methods to study the atmospheric corrosion at the surface. They also will be trained in material surface characterization with an emphasis on the chemistry of corrosion at a microscopic level. Finally, this project will greatly enhance our younger scientist skills and development using modern laser techniques. The knowledge gained will provide a detailed model on the local chemistry of corrosion that has been very difficult to characterize until now. The planned International collaboration with Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden will provide opportunities for students and faculty to do research in the collaborating laboratories.