Deposition and characterisation of high corrosion resistance and high electrical insolating thin film coatings

The UK government target of net zero emission by 2050 and the phase-out of passenger cars with internal combustion engine is facing great challenges in the research of alternative energy resources, such as wind and solar energies, batteries and fuel cells. Surface engineering, as an enabling technology in the high value manufacturing sectors, is expected to grow even more strongly in the advent of those industries to build a more sustainable
economy.
There are a few key challenges for the large roll out of those alternative energy resource sectors, such as the performance of the sensors and the lifetime, safety and reliability of the components during their operational condition. The industries are looking for high electrically insolating, corrosion resistive and yet cost effective materials/surfaces in the case of sensor and hydrogen fuel cells applications. We propose to tackle those challenges by exploiting the newly upgraded industrial thin film deposition system (EPSRC strategic equipment grant EP/R02524X/1) together with the industrial partner. This project will aim to deposit and characterise these thin film coatings supported by advanced plasma diagnostics. There are a number of objectives to be achieved:
- In depth understanding of the microwave assisted chemical vapour deposition processes, a novel and cost effective method with higher productivity for high quality thin films (EPSRC Priority 21st Century Products and EPSRC priority Sustainable Industries).
- The deposition of materials in particular with the new multiple-precursor system.
- The use of plasma diagnostics (new scientific feature) for the guidance of the thin film growth (material design, EPSRC priority digital manufacturing)
- Characterisation of the thin film in terms of microstructure analyses, dielectric properties and corrosion resistance measurements/assessments.
The project outcome will have a direct impact on the industries brought by Industry 4.0 with the smart and multifunction products. Direct and associate impacts are:
- Grants for EPSRC and Innovate UK upon the creation of those materials
- Good quality publications and conference presence of the school research into this field
- There is a direct industry interest to be forged including the OEM of the deposition system (IHI Hauzer Techno Coating)