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Abstract: This study investigates the bacterial anti-adhesion performance of uncoated and coated reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. All the membranes were commercially available fully-aromatic thin-film-composite (TFC) polyamide (PA) membranes. Two of the TFC PA membranes (SW30 and BW30) were coated using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coating, while the other three membranes (LE, XLE and NF90) were uncoated. Among the characterised TFC PA membranes, the PVA coated were more hydrophilic and their surface energy was higher in comparison to uncoated. In addition, the PVA coated membranes had lower surface roughness. AFM interaction force measurement demonstrated higher repellence performance for the more polar surface. Bacteria attachment test showed differences between the coated and the uncoated membranes. Indeed, the increase in hydrophilicity and surface polarity showed decrease in the attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the surface polarity showed better correlation with the attachment of the bacteria. In addition, the type of the surface roughness may somehow contribute to the bacteria repellence. Keywords: Thin film composite (TFC) polyamide (PA) membrane, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), surface energy, topography, biofouling. |
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Abstract: Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are recognized in many sectors as a promising way of controlling wear and the corrosion performance of components. DLC coatings are well established in the automotive industry where they are applied to the moving parts of direct injection fuel systems operating under frictional conditions at high pressures and in the aggressive environment of the combustion chamber. Over the last few years, there have also been an increasing number of reports of DLC coating applications in oil and gas production contexts, including in pipes, shut-off gates and various types of valves. This paper reviews current efforts to use DLC coatings in the oil and gas sectors and analyses typical coating degradation mechanisms including wear and wear-accelerated corrosion regimes. DLC coating deposition techniques including Physical (PVD) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) techniques are elaborated and the unique coating properties obtained from those two methods are assessed. Surface functionalization is discussed including dopants (W and Si) and gradient interlayers. Finally, the outlook for future use of DLC coatings in oil and gas production is discussed.
Keywords: Diamond-like carbon, DLC, surface engineering, functional coatings, tribology, corrosion. |
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Abstract: The aim of the optimization of the technological process was to coat the surface of the pigment in a controlled manner and to supress photoactivity in the titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment. As part of this research, a systematic approach to TiO2 pigment surface treatment with alumina was conducted. Surface treatment with alumina plays a significant role in the improvement of TiO2 properties (e.g. weather resistance and photostability).This research encompasses a raw material analysis and process conditions study. Sodium aluminate and aluminium sulphate were used as a source of alumina hydroxide. The effectiveness of surface treatment was determined using scanning-transmission (STEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. The photoactivity of pigmentary TiO2 was determined before and after surface treatment. A controlled surface treatment process resulted in pigmentary TiO2 particles with uniform amorphous layers, which supressed the photoactivity of the pigment. Keywords: Titanium dioxide, Surface treatment, Coatings, Alumina, Photo activity. |
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Abstract: Simple β-NiAl, Hf-modified β-NiAl, Pt-diffused, Pt-modified β-(Ni,Pt)Al + ξ-PtAl2, and Hf-Pt-modified β-(Ni,Pt)Al were cyclic oxidation tested at 1050°C in air on Inconel-718 substrates for up to 4370h. The Pt-diffused specimen failed most quickly, < 100 h, while the simple β-NiAl aluminide maintained a positive weight change for ~1300 h. The Pt-modified aluminides clearly improved the cyclic oxidation behavior of both simple and Hf-modified aluminides, sustaining a zero weight change only after 3600 and 4000 h, respectively. The Hf additions did not immediately appear to produce as strong an improvement as expected, however, they were more highly ranked when normalized by coating thickness. They also decreased surface rumpling, important for TBC durability. Hf-rich NiAl grain boundaries, formed during coating processing, resulted in HfO2 particles in the scales and oxide pegs at the metal interface, all suggesting some level of over-doping. The high sulfur content of the substrate influenced spalling to bare metal and re-healing to less protective Ni(Al,Cr)2O4 spinel-type and (Ti,Cr,Nb)O2 rutile scales. The evolution of these surface features have been documented over 100 to 4370 h of exposure. The coating aluminum content near failure was ~2-3 wt. %. Keywords: Hafnium, aluminide coatings, oxidation testing, Inconel 718, vapor phase process. |