PhD in Chemical and Materials Sciences

Tribochemistry and tribocatalysis

Frontiers in Materials Science

Academic year 2023/2024

Sommario del corso

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• Results of learning outcomes
• Program
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Course objectives

Tribochemistry is a general term dealing with chemical reactions taking place at a sliding interface. It is an important topic related to maintenance and useful life of machines with both huge energy and economic impacts, and especially in micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) where standard wear rates of enegineering materials can considerably shorten the device life. In this course, the physical basis of tribochemistry are discussed: exo-electron emissions and charge/discharge in oil flow. As a paradigm, tribochemical reactions and wear of silicon nitride (an important engineering material used for bearings, helicopter gearboxes etc.) are presented.  Mild and severe wear of silicon nitride were interpreted by Prof. Kajdas and Dr. Dante as a clear example of tribochemical wear, as illustrated in detail in  the book  Tribocatalysis, Tribochemistry, and Tribocorrosion (2018, Pan Stanford Publishing Pte. Ltd.).

The central topic in tribocatalysis is the activation energy, as it characterizes tribocatalytic reactions. In the course, it will be illustrated how the activation energy is decreased in tribocatalytic reactions. The underlying mechanism is the emission/transfer of low-energy electrons at the interface to initiate reactions. Therefore, tribochemistry is very related to engineering materials and their application in mechanical devices of any type; however, will become much more important as MEMS applications will increase since wear rates that may be acceptable in the macro-scale will be not acceptable in the micro-nano scale

Results of learning outcomes

The main learning outcomes will be understanding of the complexity of tribochemical reactions and their different dynamics compared with thermal static reactions, as well as developing ability to face problems in nanotechnology and mechanical devices related to tribochemistry and tribocatalysis in the phase of design

Program

1.Tribology basics

2. Mechanochemistry and Tribochemistry

3. Triboemission of exoelectrons

4. Silicon nitride tribochemistry: a paradigm for ceramic nitrides

5. Tribocatalysis

6. Tribocorrosion

Class schedule

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