Scott Jungwirth

The deposition of Au–Pt core–shell nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide and their catalytic activity

Au-Pt core-shell nanoparticles have been synthesized on a reduced graphene oxide (RGO) surface by an under-potential deposition (UPD) redox replacement technique, which involves redox replacement of a copper UPD monolayer by PtCl₄²⁻ that could be reduced and deposited simultaneously. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical methods have been used to characterize the graphene decorated with Au-Pt core-shell nanoparticles. The electrochemical experiments show that the materials exhibit excellent catalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction and the methanol oxidation reaction. It is believed that the high-performance of this new catalyst is due to the ultrathin Pt shell on the Au nanoparticles surface and the oxygen-containing functional groups on the RGO surface.

Corrosion by Chloride Deicers on Highway Maintenance Equipment: Renewed Perspective and Laboratory Investigation

This work aimed to identify and evaluate best practices that could be implemented to minimize the corrosion of chloride deicers on winter application equipment and vehicles. Identified practices included design improvements, maintenance practices, anticorrosion coatings, corrosion inhibitors, salt removers, and so on. A nationwide survey was conducted to capture current knowledge about estimating the deicer corrosion costs to vehicles and equipment, defining the chloride deicer corrosion problem, and identifying best practices or products for managing the problem. For agencies that report deicer corrosion to equipment as a significant issue, the total cost of current corrosion management and corrosion risks related to deicer exposure was estimated to average

Evaluating Snow and Ice Control Chemicals for Environmentally Sustainable Highway Maintenance Operations

1.06 million and

Corrosion inhibitors for metals in maintenance equipment: introduction and recent developments

14.05 million per year, respectively. On average, deicer exposure leads to risks in six areas: 17.3% depreciation in equipment value, 8.5% increase in equipment downtime, 11.9% reduction in equipment reliability, 17.3% reduction in equipment service life, 19.6% increase in premature repair and replacement, and 1.5% risk in safety from faulty parts on equipment. The survey identified four anticorrosion coating products, four spray-on corrosion inhibitors, and six salt removers as best products based on user experience. Subsequently, a screening test and a 2-week test with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the products in reducing the corrosion effect of magnesium chloride solution to carbon steel. Under the investigated conditions, the best-performing coating (Rust Bullet), inhibitor (Krown), and salt removers (HoldTight and ChlorRid) were identified. They all showed outstanding performance in corrosion protection.

Preserving the value of highway maintenance equipment against roadway deicers: a case study and preliminary cost benefit analysis

AbstractThe use of chemicals and abrasives for highway winter maintenance operations is an essential strategy for ensuring a reasonably high level of service, yet the performance of such materials has to be balanced with their potential negative impacts on motor vehicles, transportation infrastructure, and the natural environment. In this context, this work presents a comprehensive and quantitative evaluation of snow and ice control chemicals currently used by various Idaho Transportation Department districts for highway maintenance operations, including rock salts (mainly solid sodium chloride), IceSlicer products (solid sodium chloride with trace amounts of other chlorides), and salt brines. The analysis has been enabled by the utilization of existing lab and field test data along with reasonable assumptions, in the effort to identify environmentally sustainable materials for winter highway operations. Despite its caveats, this case study is the first attempt to incorporate the most up-to-date informati...

Water Quality Implications and the Toxicological Effects of Chloride-Based Deicers

Abstract Corrosion inhibitors are extensively applied to prevent the corrosion of metals in maintenance and vehicles used by transportation agencies. The aim of this review is to examine the state of the corrosion inhibitors for the protection of various metals/alloys commonly used in maintenance equipment and vehicles and to identify cost-effective, high-performance corrosion inhibitors that may contribute to the preservation of equipment assets. The focus is placed on the metallic corrosion induced or aggravated by chlorides at ambient temperature and pressure and near-neutral pH (6–8).

Proactive Approaches to Protecting Maintenance Equipment against Chloride Roadway Deicers

Purpose – This paper aims to report the best practices of deicer corrosion control adopted by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to preserve the performance, reliability and value of its highway maintenance equipment assets. Design/methodology/approach – To enable quantitative analyses, data were collected from a site visit to WSDOT, as well as from a survey of maintenance practitioners from various transportation agencies. The direct costs related to equipment corrosion aggravated by the exposure to roadway deicers were analyzed, along with the direct benefits of mitigating such corrosion, using WSDOT as a case study. In addition, the same preliminary cost benefit analysis was conducted for an “average” Department of Transportation in a northern climate. Findings – Both cases show a highly favorable benefit-to-cost ratio for enhanced investment in controlling the risk of deicer corrosion. Research limitations/implications – It has not yet been possible to confirm this compelling ar...

Snow and Ice Control Environmental Best Management Practices

Traditionally, the main priority of winter road maintenance has been assigned to level of service, cost-effectiveness, and corrosion rather than other less well-characterized effects such as impacts to water quality. It is increasingly vital to understand the environmental footprint of deicers, including their impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Chloride based deicers do not degrade in the natural environment and their application on winter pavements can lead to accumulation in adjacent environments over time. Information presented to date on deicers generally includes chemical composition and performance of deicers, while additional information on deicer aquatic toxicity is needed to enable fully-informed decisions by stakeholders. This work presents a state-of-the-knowledge review of the impacts of chloride based deicers and additives on water and aquatic species, and the issue of heavy metal leaching. Toxicity associated with the direct effect of deicers or with the indirect effect via their interactions with runoff chemistry is reviewed as well. This work will assist the stakeholder agencies in the search for effective practices to reduce the toxicity and other water quality implications of chloride based deicers.

Identification and laboratory assessment of best practices to protect DOT equipment from the corrosive effect of chemical deicers.

AbstractRoadway maintenance equipment in cold climates is exposed to high amounts of chloride-based deicers that are inherently corrosive. As such, various structural, hydraulic, and electrical components on maintenance equipment are vulnerable to the deleterious effects of chloride roadway deicers, and their premature deterioration can negatively affect the performance, reliability, and service life of the equipment fleet. This work aims to shed more light on this important asset management issue by providing an overview of corrosion-prone parts and current approaches available to proactively manage the risk of deicer corrosion to equipment assets, including design considerations, materials selection, and maintenance strategies. The information aims to enable equipment engineers and managers to gain a better understanding of this technical issue and make more informed decisions in corrosion risk management.

Corrosion Inhibitors Available for Preserving the Value of Equipment Assets in Chloride-laden Environments: State of the Knowledge

There is a need for the identification of environmental best management practices (BMPs) to aid in responsible and cost-effective operation of winter maintenance programs. State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) are continually challenged to provide a high level of service on winter roadways and improve safety and mobility in a cost-effective manner, while at the same time minimizing adverse effects to the environment, vehicles, and transportation infrastructure. Understanding and minimizing the negative impacts of deicers is critical to effective and responsible winter maintenance operations. Increasing contamination from the continued use of snow and ice control products has become a significant environmental concern that has detrimental effects on air, water, soil, vegetation, humans, and wildlife. Snow and ice control BMPs have been developed in all aspects of winter maintenance operations. This paper will focus on snow and ice control BMPs with the greatest potential to decrease the environmental impacts of winter maintenance operations including proper material storage and handling, applying the right amount of material in the right place at the right time, and facility management and post storm clean-up. By utilizing the identified best practices, an organization can realize cost and material saving, reduced person and vehicle hours and emissions, and realize a reduction in the impacts of snow and ice control operations on the environment.