Bogdan Szczygieł

XPS and FT-IR Characterization of Selected Synthetic Corrosion Products of Zinc Expected in Neutral Environment Containing Chloride Ions

ZnO, Zn(OH)2, Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O, ZnCO3, and Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 synthetic powders were prepared by chemical or solid-state method. Their crystalline phase structure, thermal behavior, and morphology were examined. Characteristic infrared absorbance bands were estimated by means of FT-IR ATR spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) allowed to calculate the modified Auger parameters (α ′) thereof to 2010.2, 2009.3, 2009.4, 2009.7, and 2009.8 eV, respectively for ZnO, Zn(OH)2, Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O, ZnCO3, and Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6. Finally, comparison of surface composition may be crucial to evaluation of the unknown experimental spectra of corrosion products formed on the surface of zinc alloy coatings exposed in NaCl solution.

The effect of catalyst precursors and conditions of preparing Pt and Pd-Pt catalysts on their activity in the oxidation of hexane

Abstract The effectiveness of under-air n-hexane oxidation over monolithic catalysts made of heat-resistant foil, containing Pt, Pd or Pt-Pd, was compared. Pt and Pd precursors, either containing chlorine or devoid of chlorine, were used to prepare the catalysts. The chlorine- containing Pt (H2PtCl6) and Pd (PdCl2) precursors were found to lower the activity of the catalysts in hexane oxidation. Studies of the effect of 0.15% Pt/Al2O3 catalyst (using H2PtCl6 as the precursor) calcination conditions on catalyst activity showed the catalyst calcined in static air at 500°C to be the most active. Airflow calcination of the catalyst does not change its catalytic properties. In comparison with the 0.5% Pd/Al2O3 catalyst obtained from Pd(NO3)2, the use of a bimetallic 0.5% Pd/0.1% Pt/Al2O3 catalyst, in which the precursors were Pd(NO3)2 and Pt(NO3)4, resulted in the lowering of 10% and 50% n-hexane temperature by 15°C and 10°C.

Biomineralization of Gold by Mucor Plumbeus: The Progress in Understanding the Mechanism of Nanoparticles' Formation

This contribution describes the deposition of gold nanoparticles by microbial reduction of Au(III) ions using the mycelium of Mucor plumbeus. Biosorption as the major mechanism of Au(III) ions binding by the fungal cells and the reduction of them to the form of Au(0) on/in the cell wall, followed by the transportation of the synthesized gold nanoparticles to the cytoplasm, is postulated. The probable mechanism behind the reduction of Au(III) ions is discussed, leading to the conclusion that this process is nonenzymatic one. Chitosan of the fungal cell wall is most likely to be the major molecule involved in biomineralization of gold by the mycelium of M. plumbeus. Separation of gold nanoparticles from the cells has been carried out by the ultrasonic disintegration and the obtained nanostructures were characterized by UV‐vis spectroscopy and transmission electron micrograph analysis.

Improvement of the stainless steel electropolishing process by organic additives

Abstract The influence of organic additives on the process of surface electropolishing of AISI 304 type steel was determined. Additives were selected in initial potentiodynamic tests pursuant to the plateau analysis on the current/potential curves. The assessment of the operational effectiveness of additives consisted in determining the relationship between surface gloss after electropolishing and the mass loss of the sample and in determining surface roughness. The applied electropolishing bath consisted of a mixture of concentrated acids: H3PO4 and H2SO4, and the following organic additives were used: triethylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether and glycerol. The best electropolishing result, i.e. low roughness and high gloss of stainless steel surface with a relatively low mass loss of the sample at the same time were obtained for baths containing triethanolamine.

Solid State NMR and EIS Examination of SiO2-Epoxy Hybrid Coatings on Stainless Steel

Sol-gel SiO2 and hybrid films were deposited on 316L stainless steel by the dip process. Epoxy bisglycidyl hydroquinone (EBH) was used as an organic component in hybrid films. Both coatings were uniform and homogeneous and displayed good adhesion to the substrates. The thickness of hybrid coatings was greater than that of SiO2 coatings. Thermal condition preparation has significant influence on spectroscopic properties of samples. These features are due to changes of morphology of epoxy-silica hybrid compared to unmodified silica-gels and are related to decomposition at higher temperature. The corrosion behaviour of 316L stainless steel samples coated with SiO2 and hybrid films was studied in Ringer’s solution by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. SiO2 and silica-based hybrid coatings produced by the sol-gel method offers a good protection against corrosion of stainless steel in Ringer’s solution. In contrast to the SiO2-coated samples and the hybrid coating heated to 200°C, the behaviour of the hybrid coating heated to 300°C changed from resistive to a barrier-like one during exposure to the solution. This change was found to be a transient effect only. During 1-month exposure to Ringer’s solution the coating lost its barrier properties.