Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Surfaces, Coatings and Films, Metals and Alloys
25
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Performance of oxygen-free phosphorous-doped and high-conductivity phosphorous-doped copper in ammonia-containing groundwater Andressa Trentin, Konsta Sipilä, Jukka Vaari, Eric A. K. Fangnon, Janne Pakarinen Journal of Materials Science, 2025 High-purity copper is used for high-level waste (HLW) canister material due to its mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. While oxygen-free phosphorous-doped copper (OFE + P) is the current standard material in Finland and Sweden, high-conductivity phosphorous-doped (HCP) copper has emerged as a potential alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the corrosion performance, stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility, and hydrogen uptake of HCP relative to OFE + P under ammonia-disturbed groundwater conditions. Both copper grades were subjected to a 3-month exposure in an autoclave containing simulated groundwater and 100 mg/L of ammonia at room temperature. Constant potentials were applied to shift surface potentials into the Cu₂O/CuO stability region, mimicking thermodynamic conditions associated with SCC. Hydrogen content was assessed by hot-melt mass spectroscopy and thermal desorption spectroscopy supported by molecular dynamics simulations of hydrogen diffusion. U-bend specimens, constantly polarized at − 50 mV versus saturated calomel electrode, were analysed using plasma-focused ion beam (PFIB) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to characterize microstructural degradation. Both materials presented very-low corrosion rates (0.2–0.4 µm/year), and no hydrogen uptake was detected. However, PFIB and EBSD results revealed fully oxidized, intergranular cracks penetrating up to 10 µm, along random grain boundaries. These shallow features were attributed to ammonia-induced degradation facilitated by localized strain, even under anoxic conditions and room temperature. HCP copper exhibited comparable corrosion behaviour and susceptibility to ammonia-induced intergranular attack to that of OFE + P copper. These results support the potential use of HCP copper as a viable alternative for HLW canisters in ammonia-containing environments.
Current advances in quantum dots (QDs) and carbon dots (CDs) as fluorescent probes for corrosion detection and biofouling monitoring Truc-Quynh Nguyen, Andressa Trentin Materials Today Communications, 2025 It is evident that in the future, monitoring metallic corrosion and biofouling will need to transition toward in-situ, non-destructive techniques that enable early detection, ideally before these issues arise. This will reduce the need for costly and time-consuming interventions. Quantum dots (QDs) and carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as promising nanosensors in corrosive environments. They are capable of providing real-time monitoring and, in some cases, corrosion inhibition and biofilm imaging, making them ideal candidates for smart anti-corrosion and biofouling monitoring systems. QDs are semiconductor nanocrystals with exceptional photostability and distinct optical and electronic properties, surpassing many organic fluorophores in bioimaging. However, their application in corrosion science remains underexplored. CDs are biocompatible fluorescent nanoparticles with customized optical characteristics and straightforward synthesis procedures. Their tunable surface chemistry and photoluminescence enable applications in integrated systems for monitoring corrosion and biofouling, working through mechanisms such as fluorescence, chemisorption, and physical adsorption. The main corrosion sensing mechanisms of CDs are examined in this review, including fluorescence quenching due to interactions with iron ions under aerobic conditions and moisture. This work highlights the unique advantages of QDs and CDs, providing insights into synthesis methodology and potential sensing capabilities for metallic corrosion, biofouling, and microbially induced corrosion (MIC). Finally, the review concludes by addressing existing challenges and offering future perspectives for the application of these nanomaterials in corrosion science. • QDs and CDs are ideal candidates for anti-corrosion strategies. • Applications of QDs in corrosion and biofouling detection remain underexplored. • CDs are suited for integrated corrosion inhibition and monitoring systems.
Pitting corrosion of austenitic and duplex stainless steels in dilute acids at elevated temperature: Effect of electrolyte chemistry and material microstructure Andressa Trentin, Ahmad Mardoukhi, Aloshious Lambai, Pekka Pohjanne, Elina Huttunen-Saarivirta Corrosion Science, 2025 The pitting behavior of seven stainless steel grades with austenitic and duplex microstructures in varying acids (HCl, H 2 SO 4 , HCOOH), chloride concentrations (500–5000 mg/L), and pHs (2.5, 4.0) was investigated at 90°C. Low- and intermediate-PREN grades were prone to pitting under the test conditions. The electrolyte ranking by pitting susceptibility was HCl > H 2 SO 4 > HCOOH, while the progress of pitting attack in materials followed the reverse order: HCOOH > H 2 SO 4 > HCl. The presence of lacy cover prevents repassivation favoring a concentric "Russian doll" structure and high loss rates. The mechanisms of pitting propagation are presented in this paper. • High SS PRENs (>43) do not undergo pitting under the studied environments • In lower pH (2.5) there are higher material losses and reduced pitting potential • While chlorides lower pitting potential, formates cause greater material losses • Lacy cover hinders repassivation favoring a “Russian doll” pit structure • Preferential phase attack of duplex grades is absent with low PRENs (25, 26)
Bio-based vanillin alcohol diglycidyl ether (DGEVA)-silica coatings for corrosion protection of AA2024 A. Trentin, E.C. Merino, R. Samiee, M. Parchoviansky, A.H. Pakseresht, A. Durán, Y. Castro, D. Galusek Materials Letters, 2024 Currently, 75% of global epoxy polymers are based on bisphenol A (BPA), a substance identified as reprotoxic, posing challenges to the development of eco-friendly epoxy coatings. Our study reports the synthesis of three novel bio-based anti-corrosion coatings composed of vanillin alcohol diglycidyl ether (DGEVA) and silica nanoparticles, which were added to improve the adhesion to AA2024 substrates. The coatings present high adhesion (∼7 MPa) and excellent thermal stability (>295 °C), besides good corrosion protection of the hybrid coating (impedance modulus of ∼ 4 MΩ cm−2 in 3.5 wt% NaCl for > 68 days). The results reveal that proper silica distribution fosters adhesion and extends lifespan via metal oxide-polymer bonds.
Influence of pre-treatments on adhesion, barrier and mechanical properties of epoxy coatings: A comparison between steel, AA7075 and AA2024 A. Trentin, R. Samiee, A.H. Pakseresht, A. Duran, Y. Castro, D. Galusek Applied Surface Science Advances, 2023 In this work five independent pre-treatments – mechanical polishing, alkaline and acid etching, sol-gel primer, and anodizing – were applied on mild steel and aluminum (AA7075 and AA2024) substrates before the deposition of epoxy coatings. The results demonstrate that efficient adhesion can be achieved by simple methodologies and widely available chemicals as an alternative to toxic conversion layers or highly energetic processes. All the treatments provided higher adhesion (up to 75%, 61% and 14% on AA7075, AA2024 and steel, respectively) and better anti-corrosion performance (increase of impedance values at low frequency up to four orders of magnitude) than the polished reference. The anodizing of aluminum alloys yielded good anti-corrosion performance, but slightly lower mechanical properties compared to sol-gel primer and alkaline etching. The hydroxyls density was found to play a major role in strong adhesion prevailing over surface roughness, contact area, oxide thickness and hydrophobicity. Despite the efficient performance of hydrogen bonds from acid and alkaline etching on aluminum, these connections do not yield sufficiently stable bonds that make an impermeable barrier of epoxy coatings on steel. Covalent bonds (Me-O-Si) represent the key to achieve a significant improvement in mechanical and chemical resistance against the ingress of water and polymer chain relaxation. This makes the sol-gel primer a simple, economical, and environmentally alternative towards efficient bonding at a molecular level.
A closer look at the corrosion of steel liner embedded in concrete E. Huttunen-Saarivirta, E. Bohner, A. Trentin, M. Ferreira Cement and Concrete Composites, 2023 Containment wall of nuclear power plants is an example of a concrete structure enveloping a steel liner plate. In this research, the situations observed in connection with liner failures were investigated, namely the presence of a piece of wood (foreign matter) and a delamination gap between steel liner and concrete, with the purpose to study and define the corrosion mechanism of the steel liner plate and identify which factors promote or impede the occurrence of corrosion. Specimens were concrete slabs containing a steel plate, an inlay to modify the conditions at the steel surface, and electrodes for electrochemical measurements. The inlays represented “normal” concrete, low-pH concrete, a piece of wood, and a delamination gap between concrete and steel, and the same systems supplemented with chlorides. The results from two-year tests with wetting-drying cycles revealed localized corrosion in steel underneath the piece of wood, close to the inlay perimeter. The attack could be explained mainly by the mechanism of crevice corrosion. In contrast, no corrosion attack of steel liner could be detected in specimens with the delamination gap. The results from the experiments and steel liner characterization are provided in this paper, together with the reasoning behind the proposed degradation mechanism.
Self-Healing Organic-Inorganic Coatings Peter Hammer, Mayara Carla Uvida, Andressa Trentin Coatings, 2022 Nowadays, steel and light alloys, such as aluminum, magnesium, and titanium, represent most of the primary components of metallic structures in many applications [...]
Green-High-Performance PMMA–Silica–Li Barrier Coatings Andressa Trentin, Victória Hellen Chagas, Mayara Carla Uvida, Sandra Helena Pulcinelli, Celso Valentim Santilli, Peter Hammer Corrosion and Materials Degradation, 2022 Organic-inorganic coatings based on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)–silica–lithium are an efficient alternative to protect metals against corrosion. Although the preparation methodology is established and the thin coatings (~10 µm) are highly protective, the use of an environmentally friendly solvent has not yet been addressed. In this work, PMMA–silica coatings were synthesized using 2-propanol as a solvent and deposited on aluminum alloy AA7075, widely used in the aeronautical industry. Different concentrations of lithium carbonate (0–4000 ppm) were incorporated into the hybrid matrix to study the structural and inhibitive effects of Li+ in terms of barrier efficiency of the coatings in contact with saline solution (3.5% NaCl). Structural and morphological characterization by low-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, thickness, and adhesion measurements, showed for intermediate lithium content (500–2000 ppm) the formation of a highly polymerized PMMA phase covalently cross-linked by silica nodes, which provide strong adhesion to the aluminum substrate (15 MPa). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results revealed an excellent barrier property in the GΩ cm2 range and durability of more than two years in a 3.5% NaCl solution. This performance can be attributed to the formation of a highly reticulated phase in the presence of Li, which hinders the permeation of water and ions. Additionally, the self-healing ability of scratched samples was evidenced by EIS assays showing a fast Li-induced formation of insoluble products in damaged areas; thus, constituting an excellent eco-friendly solution for corrosion protection of aerospace components.
Self-healing nanocoatings Andressa Trentin, Mayara Carla Uvida, Adriana de Araújo Almeida, Thiago Augusto Carneiro de Souza, Peter Hammer Nanotechnology in the Automotive Industry, 2022
Corrosion barrier properties of PMMA-silica coatings for protection of reinforcing steel 21st International Corrosion Congress Icc Intercorr Wco 2021, 2021
Development of PMMA-CeO2 anticorrosive hybrid coatings with self-healing property 21st International Corrosion Congress Icc Intercorr Wco 2021, 2021
