Head: Dr. Patrik Schmutz

1.    Mission

2.    Research domains

3.    Main current projects

4.    Group members

5.    Methods

6.    Scientific collaborations

• New experimental tools are being developed to characterize electrochemical or chemical processes at the micro and nanometer scale.
• These tools, along with the understanding of the physico- electrochemical surface reactions at the nanometer scale, will allow formulating advanced mechanistic and mathematical models for localized processes.
• Our input leads to the development of new materials with optimized microstructures (e.g. amorphous alloys) and/or the formulation of functional surface modification based on electrochemical methods.

a. Micro and nanoelectrochemistry:

Dr. Thomas Suter, Dr. James DeRose

Our micro and nanoelectrochemical systems use extremely fine and coated glass capillaries as electrochemical sensors. The high lateral resolution in the lower nanometer range and the extremely high current detection limit of better than 1fA (<10-15 A) allows to track earliest corrosion initiation events, to electrochemical modify nanosurfaces, and to deposit metallic nanostructures.

b. Mathematical modelling of corrosion processes and organic coatings:

Dr. Olga Guseva

Finite Element modelling coupled to experimental deteremination of the critical model parameters is used to identify the critical steps of localized corrosion processes. Here the very complex interactions between chemical equilibrium, homogenous reaction in solution and electrochemical reactions at the interface solid liquids are considered.

c. Surface analytical and scanning probe techniques:

Dr. Patrik Schmutz, Dr. Jörn Lübben

Very small modification of the surface oxide state or composition can be crucial for surface properties and especially corrosion resistance. Very sensitive surface characterization techniques are the only way of investigating these changes in the first few atomic layers.

• Complex metallic alloys (CMA) [EU Network of Excellence]

Surface and bulk properties of new types of metallic materials (quasicrystals).

• Simulation Based Corrosion Management (SICOM) [EU 6th Framework Project]

Development of mass transport and intergranular corrosion models useful for management of Al alloy corrosion in the aviation industry

• Scanning Electrochemical Nanocapillary methods (EMPA R&D/F+E Project)

Characterization and local surface modification with submicrometer resolution.

• CorQuasi (Swiss / Poland PhD School)

Fundamental understanding of the Corrosion mechanisms of Al based Quasicrystalline alloys.

• Comics (National Science Foundation)

Confocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with local chemical spectroscopy: investigation of localized corrosion of Magnesium alloys in biological environment.

• Stainless Steel Stress Corrosion (Universität Erlangen Project)

Noise analysis of stainless steel stress corrosion cracking.

• Corrosion of coupled material in biomedical implants (AO Foundation)

Investigation of the critical factors affecting corrosion of steel coupled to cobalt alloys.

• Different smaller projects with industrial partners (VEECO, Peyer Medical)

Recently finished projects:

• Corrosion behaviour of 6XXX series alloys (Alcan Fund / Novelis)

Influence of intermetallic phases on electrochemical reactions and corrosion initiation.

• Hardmetals composite material (AGIE / CTI)

Fundamental characterization of the corrosion behaviour of WC-Co hardmetals.

• Stainless Mg (ETHZ Project)

Development of amorphous Mg alloys with outstanding corrosion resistance.

• Nanostructured Steels (University/Technology Warsaw)

Corrosion mechanisms of nanostructured steels produced by hydrostatic extrusion.

• Nanogalv (Internal funding)

Development of Ni/TiO2 nanodispersed electrodeposited coating with photocatalytic properties.

• Amorphous metals for medical STENTS (ESM Fund)

Characterization of the corrosion behaviour of newly development of Zr based amorphous alloys.

• Electrochemical methods both at the macro and micro (nano)scale.
• Available are micro- and nanoelectrochemistry systems; multiple standard electrochemical systems for AC Impedance, electrochemical polarization or noise measurements.
• High voltage anodizing system.
• Electrodeposition systems (Rotating electrodes, Hull cells, semi - industrial unit).
• Surface Analysis instrument especially Scanning Auger Microscopy (SAM).
• Environmental Scanning Probe System  (E-Scope) including Kelvin Probe capability.
• EPMA (Electron Probe MicroAnalysis ) system; a LEO SEM with EDX capability.
• Chemistry characterization techniques (Capillary electrophoresis).
• Expertise in metallography, failure analysis and light microscopy (see group “Materials Integrity”).
• Multiple climatic chambers for atmospheric corrosion research (see group “Materials Integrity”).

• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (LMPT): Laboratory of Metal Physics and Technology, Prof. J. Löffler / Prof. PJ. Uggowitzer.
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (LTEMA): Laboratory for Trace Element and MicroAnalysis, Prof. D. Günther.
• University of Erlangen, Germany (LKO): Chair for Surface Science and Corrosion, Prof. S. Virtanen.
• University of Technology Warsaw, Poland (WUT): Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Prof. Kurzydlowski.
• University of Birmingham, United Kingdom (UB): Metallurgy and Materials, Dr. A. Davenport.
• University of Queensland, Australia (UQ): Materials Engineering, Prof. A. Atrens.

EMPA laboratories:

• Surfaces, Coating and Magnetism (Scanning Probe and Surface Analysis), Solid-State and Analytic Chemistry (ICP), Electronics and Metrology (FIB).