Industrial Surface Treatment Technologies
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide fundamental knowledge on modifying the surface properties of various materials, both in powder form and as thin films. Innovative and alternative technologies will be presented to impart specific and functional surface properties different from those of the pristine material. Additionally, the main analytical and characterization techniques for evaluating these properties will be covered, with particular attention to sustainability and applications in industrial fields (such as energy and biomedical sectors) and nanotechnology.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will acquire the necessary skills to modify and evaluate the surface properties of various materials, aiming to achieve specific functional characteristics from both chemical and physical perspectives. In particular, they will be able to select the most appropriate techniques for the surfaces' treatment and the deposition of coatings of various types, using the different methods presented throughout the course.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
1. Introduction to Surface Technologies
Definition and importance of surfaces in materials and chemical processes. The role of surfaces in the chemical industry (e.g., in catalysis, coatings, and corrosion). Key surface properties, including surface energy, surface tension, wettability, adhesion, and cohesion.
2. Structure and Physicochemical-Analytical Characterization of Surfaces
Overview of the main investigation techniques, including:
· microscopy (optical microscopy, SEM/EDX, TEM, XPS, AFM)
· spectroscopy (XPS, AES, SIMS, IR)
· optical techniques (ellipsometry)
· other methods: contact angle measurements, adhesion evaluation, hardness testing, wear and corrosion resistance assessment.
Practical examples of surface characterisation will be provided.
3. Surface Modification and Functionalization
· Physical approaches: physical vapor deposition (PVD), laser ablation, sputtering
· Chemical approaches: chemical vapor deposition (CVD), chemical grafting, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), sol-gel processes, electrodeposition, spray pyrolysis. Surface chemical gradients: wettability gradients.
· Solution-based deposition techniques (e.g., drop casting, spin coating, dip coating, Langmuir-Blodgett films)
· Vacuum deposition techniques
· Surface patterning techniques (e.g., photolithography and soft lithography)
· Plasma and corona treatments.
The presented methodologies will emphasise optimal selection criteria to enhance properties such as adhesion, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, and biocompatibility.
4. Surfaces in Industrial Processes
· Tribology: friction, wear, roughness
· Functional coatings: scratch-resistant, self-cleaning, anti-corrosion coatings. A general overview of corrosion phenomena and an introduction to surface protection techniques will be discussed
· Nanostructured surfaces for specific applications: catalysis, anti-reflective coatings, superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces, biomedical applications
5. Sustainability and Surface Technologies
· Green technologies for surface modification
· Applications in renewable energy: solar cells, batteries, fuel cells
· Sustainable materials for surface treatment.
Definition and importance of surfaces in materials and chemical processes. The role of surfaces in the chemical industry (e.g., in catalysis, coatings, and corrosion). Key surface properties, including surface energy, surface tension, wettability, adhesion, and cohesion.
2. Structure and Physicochemical-Analytical Characterization of Surfaces
Overview of the main investigation techniques, including:
· microscopy (optical microscopy, SEM/EDX, TEM, XPS, AFM)
· spectroscopy (XPS, AES, SIMS, IR)
· optical techniques (ellipsometry)
· other methods: contact angle measurements, adhesion evaluation, hardness testing, wear and corrosion resistance assessment.
Practical examples of surface characterisation will be provided.
3. Surface Modification and Functionalization
· Physical approaches: physical vapor deposition (PVD), laser ablation, sputtering
· Chemical approaches: chemical vapor deposition (CVD), chemical grafting, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), sol-gel processes, electrodeposition, spray pyrolysis. Surface chemical gradients: wettability gradients.
· Solution-based deposition techniques (e.g., drop casting, spin coating, dip coating, Langmuir-Blodgett films)
· Vacuum deposition techniques
· Surface patterning techniques (e.g., photolithography and soft lithography)
· Plasma and corona treatments.
The presented methodologies will emphasise optimal selection criteria to enhance properties such as adhesion, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, and biocompatibility.
4. Surfaces in Industrial Processes
· Tribology: friction, wear, roughness
· Functional coatings: scratch-resistant, self-cleaning, anti-corrosion coatings. A general overview of corrosion phenomena and an introduction to surface protection techniques will be discussed
· Nanostructured surfaces for specific applications: catalysis, anti-reflective coatings, superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces, biomedical applications
5. Sustainability and Surface Technologies
· Green technologies for surface modification
· Applications in renewable energy: solar cells, batteries, fuel cells
· Sustainable materials for surface treatment.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic concepts of thermodynamics and kinetics.
Teaching methods
Lectures supported by multimedia presentations.
Teaching Resources
Slides provided by the lecturer. Examples taken from literature.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam aimed at assessing the knowledge of the main topics covered during the lectures and the ability to select the most appropriate techniques for surface modification and/or the deposition of coatings of various types, in relation to specific industrial applications.
CHIM/02 - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Pargoletti Eleonora
Professor(s)
Reception:
By email appointment
Department of Chemistry, Building 5A-O, 3rd floor