Cutting Edge Seminars

The development of the sol-gel process opened the possibility of utilising ceramic coatings at low curing temperatures. However, these coatings have drawbacks such as a tendency to crack, delaminate, and limited thicknesses (nm). Through the modification of the sol-gel chemistry it is possible to produce defect-free coatings that can be scaled up to a coil-coating line.

Throughout this presentation I will be discussing the development of sol-gel coatings, with a particular focus on:

• The effect of coating chemistry on defects and processing
• The weathering, mechanical, and barrier performance
• The potential financial and sustainability impact of sol-gel coating systems

There was 57Mt of electronic waste generated in 2022 of this less than 25% is currently recycled. The commercial recycling processes focus solely on the recovery of the precious metals at the expense of everything else. The silver ink we have formulated can create printed electronics using existing manufacturing methods such as screen-printing and recovered from products or manufacturing waste without using toxic highly-chemicals. The recovered silver can be reused in the manufacturing of new inks without further processing, creating a cost-effective closed loop system for circular printed electronics and reducing scope 3 emissions.

Interfacial chemistry plays a pivotal role in the materials manufacturing industry. For instance, in composite materials, it governs the interactions between different constituent materials at their boundaries, thereby influencing their structural properties in terms of stability and durability. Additionally, interfacial chemistry is crucial in understanding how materials interact with the environment, ultimately determining their lifespan. A comprehensive grasp of interfacial chemistry is widely recognized as essential for advancing material manufacturing.

Surface-sensitive, in situ spectroscopic techniques such as soft X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy (XPS and NEXAFS) are powerful tools for investigating these phenomena. However, utilizing these techniques poses challenges due to the necessity of ultra-high vacuum conditions. Nonetheless, significant advancements in instrumentation have rendered these techniques indispensable for studying gas-solid interfaces.

In my presentation, I will illustrate the significance of interfacial chemistry in nanostructured carbon relevant to the painting manufacturing industry. Through specific examples, I will demonstrate how employing these methodologies can contribute to the development of superior materials.