ECSBC Seminar

Announcing a special seminar by Prof. David W. Showsmith, Western University on Nov. 13th, 2013, in CHEM D213, UBC at 3:00PM.

THE SPECTROSCOPIC AND MICROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF ELECTROCHEMICALLY REACTIVE (CORRODING) SURFACES

David Shoesmith, Director, Surface Science Western
Department of Chemistry, Western University
London, Ontario, N6A 5B7
http://www.surfacesciencewestern.com

Abstract:
We have been developing various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to investigate electrochemically reactive surfaces which can be instructively applied to such systems, and this seminar will describe their application to two distinctly different systems.
The corrosion of nuclear fuel (UO2) under permanent waste disposal conditions will dictate the release rate of radionuclides to the environment. We have been studying the influences of non-stoichiometry and rare earth doping on the electrochemical reactivity of custom made UIV1-2xUV2xO2+x and UIVREIIIO2 specimens using microRaman spectroscopy, current-sensing atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electrochemical microscopy..
The development of fuel efficient/battery-powered automobiles requires the use of light weight materials. Due to their strength and ready castability Mg alloys are prime candidates, providing corrosion issues can be overcome. We have been comparing the corrosion behaviour of cast AM50 Mg alloys using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, confocal scanning laser microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. These studies show that the variations in Al content within α-Mg grains and divorced eutectic regions and the distribution of β-phase (Mg17Al12) and Al-Mn intermetallics control the distribution and severity of corrosion damage.