Electrodeposition of Nickel-Molybdenum (Ni-Mo) Alloys for Corrosion Protection in Harsh Environments

Electrodeposition of only molybdenum onto substrates is difficult, therefore molybdenum is typically deposited with iron-based alloys such as nickel. The deposition of such alloys is known as an induced codeposition mechanism. The electrodeposition of nickel-molybdenum alloys using alkaline plating solutions is covered in this chapter. The mechanism for deposition of nickel-molybdenum is reviewed, as well as the influence of the plating parameters on the coatings. Characterization of the coatings by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction is discussed and how deposition parameters affect morphology, composition, and crystallite size. Nickel-molybdenum alloys offer enhanced corrosion protection and mechanical properties as coatings onto various substrates. A survey of the resulting hardness and Young's modulus is presented for several research studies. Corrosion parameters for several studies are also compared and show the percentage of molybdenum in the coatings affects these values.

Functionalization of Surfaces with Optical Coatings Produced by PVD Magnetron Sputtering

This chapter describes the functionalization of the surface of the glass through thin film inorganic coatings. Such filters called dichroic filters, following the physical principle of interference of light using the rules of optical physics. The design of the optical multilayer materials with high and low refractive index and optimizing the predetermined optical responses. The AFM quantify the real thickness and, calibrate the deposition plant, using as an input data for the simulation to evaluate the dispersion index refraction and absorption. The dichroic filters separate the incident radiation into two or more predetermined optical bands. The materials used are deposited using PVD Reactive Magnetron Sputtering, allows to increase the deposition rate, to obtain good homogeneity range of the surface deposited. The set point of deposition which allows to obtain stoichiometric oxides is analyzed with the technique RBS. These optical filters, also called dichroic are applied in the research field of the splitting photovoltaic concentration.

Advances in Functional Nanocoatings Applied in the Aerospace Industry

Surfaces of aerospace components are subjected to heat, water, ice, electromagnetic waves, corrosion, abrasion, wear, thermal shock and/or fire during their lifetime. Materials science and engineering have introduced the use of coatings to protect the surface of the materials under these operating conditions. Materials such as ceramics, polymers, and metals and their combinations either as composites or hybrid materials, as well as functionalized versions of them, have been proposed as different design alternatives. Six different types of coatings can be identified: anti-corrosion, abrasion and wear-resistant, thermal barrier and flame-retardant, conductive, anti-icing, and superhydrophobic. This chapter will review the most important advances in functional nanocoatings, which are being researched and those already used in aerospace applications, as well as the profits that these materials can provide to the surfaces of the components where them are used.

Opto-Smart Systems in Microfluidics

The possibility of using photo-stimulus to control flow in microfluidics devices is very appealing as light can provide contactless stimulation, is biocompatible and can be applied in a non-invasive and highly precise manner. One of the most popular ways to achieve photo-control flow in microfluidic channels is throughout the use of photo-responsive molecules. We review here the different principles and strategies of using photo-responsive molecules to induce or control liquid motion using light, which include the use of photo-controlled polymeric actuators, photo-sensitive coatings, or photo-sensitive surfactants. We further analyse the capability of these approaches to induce flow control throughout the photo-operation of valves, photo-control of electro-osmotic flows or photo-manipulation of discrete microliter-sized droplets.

Analysis of Plasmonic Structures by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

This chapter focuses on the plasmonic effects that appear in the ellipsometric functions and the pseudodielectric function when metal thin films and nanoparticles are analyzed by spectroscopic ellipsometry in the visible, near infrared and ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The chapter is structured in two large sections. The first section reviews the basics of total internal reflection ellipsometry (TIRE), based on the excitation of surface polaritons in metal thin films. The conditions required to excite polaritons in TIRE systems are analyzed along with the main characteristics of those electromagnetic waves. The second section of the chapter is devoted to study the optical properties of plasmonic resonances in nanostructures and the characteristics introduced in the dielectric functions. The treatment of optical anisotropies and Fano resonances in the ellipsometric models is discussed. The last section of the chapter reviews the state of the art of the technique in biosensing applications.

Concept of Advanced Thermal Barrier Functional Coatings in High Temperature Engineering Components

In conventional thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) the major problem is the spalling of a ceramic coating. This could be due to the large thermal stresses which are generated during thermal cycling on the oxidizing environment. One of the ways to improve the life span and overcome mentioned problems is introducing the concept of functionally graded materials (FGM) into the TBC. Functionally graded materials are referred to as a class of advanced materials that are distinguished by variation in their properties with varying their dimensions. Through employing a functionally graded thermal barrier coating (FG-TBC), an intermediate layer with a gradual compositional variation is embedded between the top and the bond coats. This layer(s), composed of ceramic and metal in various ratios, can achieve a gradual composition variation, thereby leading to gradual changes in microstructures and better mechanical and physical properties.

Fundamental, Fabrication and Applications of Superhydrophobic Surfaces

The need to create new enhanced corrosion resistant coatings has grown because of the financial burden corrosion places on certain industries such as oil industry. Organic inhibitors have been extensively reported to protect metals and metallic alloys from corrosion although they have a negative impact on environment. Development of better corrosion resistant coatings such as metal alloys, metal-ceramics, polymers, and hydrophobic films are examples of corrosion resistant coatings for metals and alloys. Recently, superhydrophobic coatings have been widely implemented into many fields including anti-fogging transparent materials, self-cleaning surfaces, biomedical and corrosion applications. In the proposed chapter, a comprehensive review will be dedicated for the fundamentals and developments of superhydrophobic materials including theoretical background; superhydrophobicity in nature; preparation techniques; and recent attempts to develop superhydrophobic surfaces.

Functional Polymeric Coatings

Functional polymeric coatings comprise a diverse array of organic/inorganic functional groups, properties, and applications. This chapter attempts to provide a comprehensive review on the science and engineering of functional polymer coatings for both the novice and experienced chemist/chemical engineer. Functional polymer coatings are coatings that are designed through careful selection of organic/inorganic functional groups and controlled synthesis on the substrate's surface. The design leads to changes in the surface properties (e.g., adhesion, wettability, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, anti-fouling, non-stick, and anti-scratch) of a particular substrate (metal, glass, wood, or plastic). Functional polymeric coatings represent the “next generation” of coatings. These coatings dynamically respond to their environment, as opposed to a static coating that is used as a simple barrier, or for decorative purposes. This review is divided into three sections: (1) functionalization of polymers, (2) polymer properties and surface analytical techniques, and (3) applications.

Synergism at the Nanoscale

Photoactive nanoparticles are smart systems that exhibit unique optical properties. In general, their intrinsic properties are size dependent. The degree and type of response to size are both related to their composition. Nanoparticles usually require to be capped with organic ligands in order to be dispersible in an aqueous or organic media, thus leading to nanoparticle colloidal dispersions and enhancing the processability of the material. The organic ligand also plays a key role in their preparation. In addition, the high surface-to-volume ratio of the nanoparticles combined with the affinity of the ligands for the nanoparticle surface can be used to place a large number of functional molecules at their periphery. The purpose of this chapter is to understand the synergism between nanoparticles and organic ligands with regard to their preparation, performance, and applicability.

Single Source Precursors for Semiconducting Metal Oxide-Based Films

Materials possessing interesting properties for current and future everyday products always have a valuable place in the scientific research. Accordingly, semiconductor materials are the foundation of modern electronics. In most of the applications, metal oxide based semiconductors are at present generally useful in the form of thin films. Metal–alkoxo complexes constitute a very important group of precursors for oxide materials. The most common chemical approaches are well described in the literature and the most relevant pathways will be summarized later in this chapter.