Illustration from the articleAbstract
In the present work silica (SiO2) coatings as interlayer and silica-titania (SiO2/TiO2) hybrid coatings as top layers, obtained by the sol-gel method and successfully applied on the polymeric substrate, were investigated as a sealing coatings. Materials were newly obtained and the morphological and structural investigations were performed. The study of chemical structures, using EDS (Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and Raman spectroscopy, confirmed the presence of particular oxide structures. The surface morphology and topography investigations were carried out using SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and AFM (atomic force microscopy) and indicated the homogeneity of the obtained coatings and smoothing of material surface by applied coatings. The cross-section of the substrate-coating system investigated with TEM (transmission electron microscope) showed the internal structure of coating. Moreover, the permeability test revealed the reduction of the CO2 and H2 permeability and the permeability coefficient for the obtained materials. The results show potential for application of obtained materials as sealing coatings in high pressure hydrogen storage systems.
Anna Szczurek
Researcher, materials engineering, PhD
Anna Szczurek is a Doctor in the discipline of mechanical engineering, however, her scientific experience is largely based on materials science and chemistry and her research is at the interface between these disciplines. Her researcher interests concern the relationship between the structure and properties of thin sol-gel coatings, with the main emphasis on barrier coatings against gas permeability, including hydrogen.
Jerzy Kaleta
Professor of Mechanics
My research interests include materials mechanics and research methods in experimental mechanics and high-pressure hydrogen storage to power fuel cells in vehicles
