Category

Research Highlights

Research Highlights at Surface Science Western

Rust Revealed – Video of On-Going Research

Electrochemistry group member Thalia Standish has qualified for the Top 75 @NSERC_CRSNG Science, Action! video contest. This video highlights some of her work and the work being done in the group. The 25 videos that get the most views between February 6 and March 2 will move on to the...
Read More

Special Issue in Surface and Interface Analysis: Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Surface Science Western

In 2016, Surface Science Western celebrated 35 years of research in the surface sciences and service and support to industries. As part of the celebration we have worked with Surface and Interface Analysis for the last two years towards a special issue of a collection of 19 articles from authors...
Read More

Layer-by-Layer Optimization of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) Nanocrystals for use in Solar Cell Devices

Research highlight from our recent N. Stewart McIntyre award winner Matthew J. Turnbull, Department of Chemistry, Western University. The primary goal of this research is to elucidate the key features that differentiate nanocrystal-based CZTS films from their crystalline counterparts. As indicated in Figure 1, there are three main mechanisms by...
Read More

A ToF-SIMS Approach to Depth Profiling Cross-Linked Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Films

Researchers from SSW, Xerox Research Centre of Canada and Chengdu Green Energy and Green Manufacturing Technology R&D Center developed a TOF-SIMS approach to determine the degree of cross-linking on the surface and its variations in nanoscale depths of organic materials. The proposed that ion intensity ratio (ρ) between C6H¯ and...
Read More

Corrosion of Copper Nuclear Waste Containers in Aqueous HNO3 Solutions

Recent research is looking to determine the effects of radiolytically produced HNO3 droplets on the corrosion of copper coatings on high level nuclear waste containers. The extent and distribution of corrosion damage has been analyzed to help determine a penetration rate and the reaction rate constants required to model the...
Read More

Mineral Processing at Surface Science Western

The mineral processing group at SSW is actively engaged in both contract and academic research within the mineral processing sector of the Canadian mining industry. The group focuses on the relationship between mineral (ore) chemistry and the recovery strategy of a particular process. The overall goal of the research is...
Read More

Surface Analysis of Electrochemically Oxidized Uranium Dioxide

The safety assessment of the Canadian nuclear waste disposal program requires a fundamental understanding of the processes controlling fuel corrosion which could lead to the release of radionuclides to the geosphere from a failed container. The redox conditions controlling fuel (UO2) corrosion inside a failed container will be dictated by...
Read More

Corrosion Products Formed on A516 Carbon Steel in Chloride and Simulated Groundwater Solutions

It has been proposed that Canadian nuclear fuel waste be disposed of 500-1000 m deep in either granitic rock or sedimentary clay deposits. Within the multi-barrier system proposed, the fuel wastes would be sealed in a metallic container, which, in a sedimentary clay environment, could be a single thick-walled design...
Read More

Assessment of the Role of Alloying Elements on the Corrosion Behaviour of Ni-Cr-Mo Alloys

The primary goal of this research was to elucidate the key influences of the alloying elements in Ni-Cr-Mo alloys on their electrochemical behaviour. Two alloys, varying in Cr and Mo content, were studied in deaerated 5 M NaCl solutions. As indicated in Figure 1, potentiostatic polarization followed by electrochemical impedance...
Read More

Crevice Corrosion of Grade-2 Titanium

Titanium alloys are highly corrosion resistant under oxidizing conditions, but can suffer crevice corrosion at elevated temperatures (>70°C) if the surface is occluded by another material, such as a deposit, a poor weld or a crack. The conditions which develop within a crevice are such that, in the event of...
Read More
1 2 3 4