Esah Hamzah

Synthesis of Uniform Polyaniline Nanofibers through Interfacial Polymerization

The present paper aims to study the preparation of polyaniline nanofibers through simple interfacial polymerization. Ammonium persulfate, hydrochloric acid and chloroform were used as oxidant, dopant and organic solvent respectively. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques were used to analyze the product. FESEM results show that polyaniline has nano-fiber morphology. XRD results show the crystalline properties of polyaniline nanofiber, and FTIR results confirmed the formation of polyaniline in different monomer/oxidant molar ratios. This study provides a better understanding on the synthesis of uniform polyaniline nanofibers through interfacial polymerization.

Fabrication of biodegradable Zn-Al-Mg alloy: Mechanical properties, corrosion behavior, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities

In this work, binary Zn-0.5Al and ternary Zn-0.5Al-xMg alloys with various Mg contents were investigated as biodegradable materials for implant applications. Compared with Zn-0.5Al (single phase), Zn-0.5Al-xMg alloys consisted of the α-Zn and Mg2(Zn, Al)11 with a fine lamellar structure. The results also revealed that ternary Zn-Al-Mg alloys presented higher micro-hardness value, tensile strength and corrosion resistance compared to the binary Zn-Al alloy. In addition, the tensile strength and corrosion resistance increased with increasing the Mg content in ternary alloys. The immersion tests also indicated that the corrosion rates in the following order Zn-0.5Al-0.5Mg<Zn-0.5Al-0.3Mg<Zn-0.5Al-0.1Mg<Zn-0.5Al. The cytotoxicity tests exhibited that the Zn-0.5Al-0.5Mg alloy presents higher viability of MC3T3-E1 cell compared to the Zn-0.5Al alloy, which suggested good biocompatibility. The antibacterial activity result of both Zn-0.5Al and Zn-0.5Al-Mg alloys against Escherichia coli presented some antibacterial activity, while the Zn-0.5Al-0.5Mg significantly prohibited the growth of Escherichia coli. Thus, Zn-0.5Al-0.5Mg alloy with appropriate mechanical properties, low corrosion rate, good biocompatibility and antibacterial activities was believed to be a good candidate as a biodegradable implant material.

Deposition of nanostructured fluorine-doped hydroxyapatite–polycaprolactone duplex coating to enhance the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Mg alloy for biomedical applications

The present study addressed the synthesis of a bi-layered nanostructured fluorine-doped hydroxyapatite (nFHA)/polycaprolactone (PCL) coating on Mg-2Zn-3Ce alloy via a combination of electrodeposition (ED) and dip-coating methods. The nFHA/PCL composite coating is composed of a thick (70-80 μm) and porous layer of PCL that uniformly covered the thin nFHA film (8-10 μm) with nanoneedle-like microstructure and crystallite size of around 70-90 nm. Electrochemical measurements showed that the nFHA/PCL composite coating presented a high corrosion resistance (R(p)=2.9×10(3) kΩ cm(2)) and provided sufficient protection for a Mg substrate against galvanic corrosion. The mechanical integrity of the nFHA/PCL composite coatings immersed in SBF for 10 days showed higher compressive strength (34% higher) compared with the uncoated samples, indicating that composite coatings can delay the loss of compressive strength of the Mg alloy. The nFHA/PCL coating indicted better bonding strength (6.9 MPa) compared to PCL coating (2.2 MPa). Immersion tests showed that nFHA/PCL composite-coated alloy experienced much milder corrosion attack and more nucleation sites for apatite compared with the PCL coated and uncoated samples. The bi-layered nFHA/PCL coating can be a good alternative method for the control of corrosion degradation of biodegradable Mg alloy for implant applications.

Investigation of three steps of hot corrosion process in Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 coatings including nano zones

Abstract Phase transformation of tetragonal ZrO2 to monoclinic phase and also increment of bond coat oxidation kinetic (TGO thickening) can substantially restrict the life time of thermal barrier coating systems (TBCs). So, nanostructured and conventional Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 coatings were evaluated in fused V2O5-Na2SO4 salts during thermal exposure in air. Microstructural characterization showed lower hot corrosion products (monoclinic zirconia, YVO4 crystals) formation and reduction of TGO thickness in thermal barrier coating system consisting of nanostructured Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) top coat. It was found that inhomogeneities, pores and micro-cracks played a principal role in the molten salts infiltration into the YSZ coating during three steps of hot corrosion process. In the nanostructured YSZ coating with tri-model structure, nano zones which surrounded by fully molten parts could fill the aforementioned defects and could act as barrier for the oxygen and corrosive molten salts penetration into the TBC.

Influence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria on corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel

Abstract Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a corrosion phenomenon that is destructive to many industries. This research aims to investigate on the MIC behaviour of a 304 stainless steel (SS) substrate in a nutrient rich simulated seawater inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) techniques were used to analyse MIC behaviour of 304 SS. Atomic force microscopy was used to observe the degree of pitting corrosion on 304 SS due to the presence of P. aeruginosa bacteria. Scanning electron microscopy and EDS were used to analyse the biofilm layer formed on 304 SS. The considerable feature was the severe pitting corrosion of 304 SS due to presence of P. aeruginosa in biofilm state.

EFFECT OF COATING THICKNESS ON THE PROPERTIES OF TiN COATINGS DEPOSITED ON TOOL STEELS USING CATHODIC ARC PVD TECHNIQUE

Titanium nitride (TiN) widely used as hard coating material, was coated on tool steels, namely on high-speed steel (HSS) and D2 tool steel by physical vapor deposition method. The study concentrated on cathodic arc physical vapor deposition (CAPVD), a technique used for the deposition of hard coatings for tooling applications, and which has many advantages. The main drawback of this technique, however, is the formation of macrodroplets (MDs) during deposition, resulting in films with rougher morphology. Various standard characterization techniques and equipment, such as electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, hardness testing machine, scratch tester, and pin-on-disc machine, were used to analyze and quantify the following properties and parameters: surface morphology, thickness, hardness, adhesion, and coefficient of friction (COF) of the deposited coatings. Surface morphology revealed that the MDs produced during the etching stage, protruded through the TiN film, resulting in film with deteriorated surface features. Both coating thickness and indentation loads influenced the hardness of the deposited coatings. The coatings deposited on HSS exhibit better adhesion compared to those on D2 tool steel. Standard deviation indicates that the coating deposited with thickness around 6.7 μm showed the most stable trend of COF versus sliding distance.

Microbially influenced corrosion of steels by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) is a destructive type of corrosion that is initiated, facilitated, or accelerated by the presence and metabolic activity of bacteria. MIC of steels is a great issue in many industries such as marine, freshwater systems, and gas/oil pipelines. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the aerobic slime-forming bacteria that are ubiquitous in marine environment that corrode steel structures. This article aims to provide a review on MIC of steels caused by bacteria, mostly in the case of P. aeruginosa. The mechanisms of MIC will be discussed based on bacteria-metal reactions and emphasize the role of P. aeruginosa on corrosion of steels.

Correlation of microstructural and corrosion characteristics of quaternary shape memory alloys Cu–Al–Ni–X (X=Mn or Ti)

The effects of different contents (0.4%, 0.7%, and 1.0%, mass fraction) of Mn or Ti additions on the micro structure, shape memory effect and the corrosion behaviour of Cu–Al–Ni shape memory alloys were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and electrochemical and immersion tests in NaCl solution. It was observed that the microstructure, shape memory effect and corrosion characteristics are highly sensitive to the composition variations. It was found that the highest strain recovery was with 0.7% addition of Mn or Ti. This may be attributed to the presence of precipitation with a high volume fraction and the grain refinement. The electrochemical test showed that the formation of oxide layers in both Cu–Al–Ni–Mn and Cu–Al–Ni–Ti shape memory alloys (SMAs) provided good passivation which enhanced the corrosion resistance of the alloys. Immersion test showed that in Cu–Al–Ni–Mn– SMAs, pitting corrosion occurred through feebleness in the oxide layer. A corrosion product adjacent to the pits was rich in Al/Mn oxide and depleted in Cu while inside of the pit it was rich in Cu. In Cu–Al–Ni–Ti– SMAs, localized corrosion occurred on the surface of the specimens and dealuminization attack was also observed in the matrix.

Corrosion and bioactivity performance of graphene oxide coating on Ti-Nb shape memory alloys in simulated body fluid

In the present work, the microstructure, corrosion, and bioactivity of graphene oxide (GO) coating on the laser-modified and -unmodified surfaces of TiNb shape memory alloys (SMAs) were investigated. The surface morphology and chemical composition was examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface modification was carried out via a femtosecond laser with the aim to increase the surface roughness, and thus increase the adhesion property. FE-SEM analysis of the laser-treated Ti-30at.% Nb revealed the increase in surface roughness and oxygen/nitrogen containing groups on the Ti-30at.% Nb surface after being surface modified via a femtosecond laser. Furthermore, the thickness of GO was increased from 35μm to 45μm after the surface was modified. Potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies revealed that both the GO and laser/GO-coated samples exhibited higher corrosion resistance than that of the uncoated TiNb SMA sample. However, the laser/GO-coated sample presented the highest corrosion resistance in SBF at 37°C. In addition, during soaking in the simulated body fluid (SBF), both the GO and laser/GO coating improved the formation of apatite layer. Based on the bioactivity results, the GO coating exhibited a remarkable antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria compared with the uncoated. In conclusion, the present results indicate that Ti-30at.% Nb SMAs may be promising alternatives to NiTi for certain biomedical applications.

Effect of Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 coating with tri-model structure on bi-layered thermally grown oxide evolution in nano thermal barrier coating systems at elevated temperatures

Abstract Bi-layered thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer plays a major role in the spallation of Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) layer form the bond coat in the thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems during oxidation. On the other hand, bi-layered TGO formation and growth in the TBC systems with nanostructured YSZ have not been deeply investigated during cyclic oxidation. Hence, Inconel 738/NiCrAlY/normal YSZ and Inconel 738/NiCrAlY/nano YSZ systems were pre-oxidized at 1000 °C and then subjected to cyclic oxidation at 1150 °C. According to microstructural observations, nanostructured YSZ layer over the bond coat should have less micro-cracks and pinholes, due to the compactness of the nanostructure and the presence of nano zones that resulted in lower O infiltration into the nanothermal barrier coating system, formation of thinner and nearly continuous mono-layered thermally grown oxide on the bond coat during pre-oxidation, lower spinels formation at the Al2O3/YSZ interface and finally, reduction of bi-layered thermally grown oxide thickness during cyclic oxidation. It was found that pre-heat treatment and particularly coating microstructure could influence microstructural evolution (bi-layered TGO thickness) and durability of thermal barrier coating systems during cyclic oxidation.