6 Materialchemie
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- Biofilm (5)
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- Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) (5)
- Methanogens (5)
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- LIPSS (3)
- MIC (3)
- Single cell analysis (3)
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- 6.2 Material- und Oberflächentechnologien (24) (entfernen)
Multi-principal element alloy (MPEA) nanoparticle electrocatalysts have the potential to provide a cost-effective and efficient alternative to noble metal electrocatalysts. The chemically complex nature and the high configurational entropy of MPEAs offer advantages in tailoring catalytic activity, product selectivity, and improved stability under harsh reaction conditions. Cu-containing bimetallic catalyst systems have already been demonstrated to lead to a significant increase in catalytic efficiency compared to monometallic systems. Thus, this project aims at the design of Cu-containing MPEAs and nanoparticle electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction reaction.
In this project, base alloys were prepared by means of arc melting with subsequent homogenization treatments and processed by pulsed laser ablation in water and organic solvents into high-purity nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Electrochemical testing was performed both on bulk alloy samples and nanoparticle film coated glassy carbon electrodes by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Nanoparticle coated electrodes have been investigated by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) to assure a homogeneous distribution on the electrode surface. The presentation will summarize our initial results on the electrocatalytic activity of Cu-MPEA system for carbon dioxide reduction.
The motivation and overall objective of the project are to develop electrocatalysts that are free of noble metals (e.g., Pt or Au) and are instead based on medium and high entropy alloys (MEA\HEA) of transition metals for the electrochemical reduction of CO2.
The MEA\HEA are multi principal element alloys (MPEAs) consisting of more than three elements with almost equal alloying proportions, forming solid solutions without intermetallic phases. In such a crystal structure, the individual elements are well mixed, and each atom has different nearest neighbours. In catalysis, especially in selectivity, it is precisely this atomic chaos that matters. Due to the large number of possible combinations of elements, these materials offer excellent conditions to tune their functional properties for specific applications.
Especially, catalyst systems in which Cu is combined with another metallic component show a significant increase in catalytic efficiency compared to monometallic systems. Since the catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability of electrocatalysts strongly depend on the size and surface, systematic studies on the influence of the organic stabilizers on heterogeneous catalysis are also of interest.
The focus of this project is to design Cu-based MEA\HEA electrocatalysts on the atomic level. For this purpose, base alloys will be prepared, processed into high-purity nanoparticles by pulsed laser ablation, and tested as electrocatalysts.
To investigate early stage corrosion processes of stainless steel 1.4301 taking place during the biofilm formation of the organism Shewanella putrefaciens electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a multielectrode approach has been used. The multielectrode array consisted of up to 25 electrically isolated electrodes made of stainless steel wires of diameters ranging from 100 µm to 500 µm. They were connected to a multichannel microelectrode analyzer (MMA) electrically coupled through zero resistance ammeters. Current flow between electrodes in the array as well as changes in impedance of individual electrodes over time were recorded and analyzed with respect to the onset of localized corrosion and biofilm formation. The results were complemented by optical microscopy, SEM and AFM images which were taken immediately after the respective experiment. To verify that the multielectrode arrays correctly indicated the initial stages of the corrosion process and of biofilm formation they were introduced in a flow cell reaction vessel containing test specimens made from stainless steel 1.4301, which were checked regularly for signs of localized corrosion and biofilms. Preceding results with the multielectrode array in solutions containing high amounts of chloride ions and hydrogen peroxide at low pH also showed that it is possible with the MMA to monitor individual electrodes becoming local anodes as local corrosion set in, while the remaining electrodes predominantly acted as cathodes.
Bacterial biofilms are multicellular communities adhering to surfaces and embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. Due to physiological adaptations and the protective biofilm matrix itself, biofilm cells show enhanced resistance towards antimicrobial treatment. In medical and industrial settings, biofilms on e.g. for implants or for surfaces in food-processing industry can be a fertile source of bacterial pathogens and are repeatedly associated with persisting, nosocomial and foodborne infections. As extensive usage of antibiotics and biocides can lead to the emergence of resistances, various strategies are currently developed, tested and improved to realize anti-bacterial surface properties through surface functionalization steps avoiding antibiotics. In this study, contact-less and aseptic large-area ultrashort laser scan processing is employed to generate different surface structures in the nanometer- to micrometer-scale on technical materials, i.e. titanium-alloy, steel, and polymer. The processed surfaces were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy and subjected to bacterial colonization studies with Escherichia coli test strains. For each material, biofilm results of the fs-laser treated surfaces are compared to that obtained on polished (non-irradiated) surfaces as a reference. Depending on the investigated surfaces, different bacterial adhesion patterns were found, suggesting an influence of geometrical size, shape and cell appendages of the bacteria and – above all – the laser-processed nanostructure of the surface itself.
Bacteria are ubiquitous and colonize all types of surfaces, including those in close proximity to humans, such as skin, food, and everyday objects. This raises the question of whether their presence represents a problem to be mitigated or a potential source of benefit to be harnessed, thereby stimulating scientific inquiry into the role of surface-associated bacteria in diverse domains ranging fromhuman health to industrial biotechnology. Aim: The objective of this project is to explore the impact of modifying surface topography on bacterial adhesion behavior. By manipulating the physical characteristics of the substrate, the attachment and detachment dynamics of bacteria can potentially be modified, leading to novel strategies for controlling bacterial colonization in various applications, such as medical devices. Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were tested on LIPSS-covered Fused Silica samples.
Inter-pulse accumulation of heat could affect the chemical and morphological properties of the laser processed material surface. Hence, the laser pulse repetition rate may restrict the processing parameters for specific laser-induced surface structures. In this study, the evolution of various types of laser-induced micro- and nanostructures at various laser fluence levels, effective number of pulses and at different pulse repetition rates (1 – 400 kHz) are studied for common metals/alloys (e.g. steel or titanium alloy) irradiated by near-infrared ultrashort laser pulses (925 fs, 1030 nm) in air environment. The processed surfaces were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy (OM, SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) as well as time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). The results show that not only the surface morphology could change at different laser pulse repetition rates and comparable laser fluence levels and effective number of pulses, but also the surface chemistry is altered. Consequences for medical applications are outlined.
Biofilm formation in industrial or medical settings is usually unwanted and leads to serious health problems and high costs. Inhibition of initial bacterial adhesion prevents biofilm formation and is, therefore, a major mechanism of antimicrobial action of surfaces. Surface topography largely influences the interaction between bacteria and surfaces which makes topography an ideal base for antifouling strategies and eco-friendly alternatives to chemical surface modifications. Femtosecond laser-processing was used to fabricate sub-micrometric surface structures on silicon and stainless steel for the development of antifouling topographies on technical materials.
Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) of iron is usually attributed to sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) which act upon the metal by the reactiveness of hydrogen sulfide, and by withdrawal of the available electrons (Fe → Fe²⁺ + 2e⁻ ; E° = 0.47 V) in electrical contact through surface attachment. Also methanogenic archaea are supposed to cause MIC. Because they do not produce hydrogen sulfide, withdrawal of electrons may be their main corrosive mechanism; however, mechanistic details and kinetics of the overall process are poorly understood. Precipitation of siderite (4Fe + 5HCO₃⁻ + 5H⁺ → 4FeCO₃ + CH₄ + 3H₂O) can lead to an insulating layer on the metal surface and lower the corrosion rate. Still, the extent of FeCO₃ precipitation may be significantly influenced by environmental conditions such as pH and advective processes.
To investigate the corrosive potential of methanogens, we studied strains isolated from marine sediments (Methanococcus maripaludis 14266, 2067, Methanobacterium-affiliated strain IM1), crude oil tanks (Methanococcus maripaludis Mic1c10, KA1) and the oral cavity (Methanobrevibacter oralis) in a closed (batch) culture, and in a sand-packed flow-through cell with pH control and simulation of a fluctuating environment. Results indicate that the rates of iron corrosion due to coupled methanogenesis (up to 0.3 mm/yr) are comparable to that caused by SRM. Surface analyses of the metal showed severe pitting. Such knowledge and deeper understanding also from an electrokinetic point of view may not only provide further models in microbial electrophysiology, but also contribute to mitigation strategies in MIC.
Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) of iron is usually attributed to sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) which act upon the metal by the reactiveness of hydrogen sulfide, and by withdrawal of the available electrons in electrical contact with the metal. Methanogenic archaea can also cause MIC by directly withdrawing electrons from the iron surface for methanogenesis. However, the mechanistic details and kinetics of the overall process are poorly understood. Precipitation of siderite, a by-product of methanogenesis, (4Fe + 5HCO3 + 5H+ 4FeCO3 + CH4 + 3H2O) can lead to an insulating layer on the metal surface and lower the corrosion rate. Still, the extent of FeCO3 precipitation may be significantly influenced by environmental conditions such as pH and advective processes.
Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) of iron is usually attributed to sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) which act upon the metal by the reactiveness of hydrogen sulfide, and by withdrawal of the available electrons in electrical contact with the metal. Methanogenic archaea are supposed to cause MIC. Because they do not produce hydrogen sulfide, withdrawal of electrons may be their main corrosive mechanism; however, mechanistic details and kinetics of the overall process are poorly understood. Precipitation of siderite (4Fe + 5HCO3 + 5H+ 4FeCO3 + CH4 + 3H2O) can lead to an insulating layer on the metal surface and lower the corrosion rate. Still, the extent of FeCO3 precipitation may be significantly influenced by environmental conditions such as pH and advective processes.