Research

Organic inhibitors that adsorb on steel and slow its dissolution in aggressive acid, from 1 M HCl up to 15 % HCl pickling baths. Synthesised N-heterocycles, grafted chitosan and plant extracts, each tested by electrochemistry and explained with DFT.

N-heterocycles, benzodiazepines, benzoxazepines, quinoxalinones, isatin-grafted chitosan, plant extracts, 1 M HCl, 15 % HCl

Reading what actually forms on the metal: adsorbed films and protective coatings, imaged and analysed at the surface. Guest editor of a Coatings special issue on smart surface engineering for corrosion mitigation.

XPS, SEM / EDX, AFM, Cu-Ni-P, MOF, epoxy resins

Suppressing the self-corrosion of aluminium anodes in alkaline electrolyte, so that the metal produces current instead of hydrogen. Sugar-based and organic additives, from conventional screening to operando interfacial characterisation.

Al anode, 4 M NaOH, self-corrosion, sugar-based additives, operando, GCD · GITT

Electrodes and operating conditions for water electrolysis, in acid and in alkali: HER/OER electrocatalysts, coatings and biochar-based electrodes, process optimisation with 2D CFD and response-surface design, and the techno-economics of renewable-powered PEM electrolysis.

HER, OER, alkaline electrolysis, PEM electrolysis, 2D CFD, RSM, techno-economics, PV / wind