6877.1:
NANO structured Thin Films for PROtecting and Functionalising Materials: NANOPRO
Abstract
The present project aims at producing thin films with a supreme stability and protectiveness against environmental attack (corrosion, tarnishing, oxidation) on metallic surfaces.
Thin films can offer protection by forming a physical barrier between the metal surface and a gaseous / aqueous environment. However, coatings mostly contain defects, leading to a localised attack of the coating. Incorporation of metallic nanoclusters into the thin films enables to adjust the electrochemical potential of the substrate at local defects in such a way that the corrosion attack is actively suppressed.