Binghamton University
Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy
PHYSICS COLLOQUIUM
“In Situ Visualization and Theoretical Modeling of the Early-Stage
Oxidation of Metals and Alloys”
Dr. Guangwen Zhou
Binghamton University
Abstract:
Oxidation, with effects both beneficial and deleterious, plays an enormous role in technology, from
causing serious corrosion problems, to providing protection against corrosion attack. Acquiring the
ability to manipulate the microscopic processes governing the surface oxidation via either controlling
the reaction environment or modifying the materials has huge technological implications. However,
current understanding of the microscopic processes of metal oxidation has been greatly limited by the
inability of traditional experimental techniques to perform in situ measurements of the structures,
chemistry, and kinetics as the reaction progresses. The work presented therefore encompasses an
atomic-scale study of the reaction ranging from the initial stage of oxygen surface chemisorption to the
subsequent stages of nucleation and growth of bulk oxide. These studies exploit the unique in situ
capabilities of microscopy and spectroscopy to dynamically measure the surface structure and surface
chemistry under a wide range of oxidation conditions, which are coordinated closely by a number of
theoretical modeling techniques ranging from the first-principles calculations to continuum elastic
theory for developing direct insight into the reaction mechanism, including adsorption sites, diffusion
path, reaction barrier, and surface/interface effects. Due to the decisive role of the environment in
determining the reaction behavior, incorporation of the temperature and pressure effect into the firstprinciple thermodynamics calculations allows for identifying how the interplay between
thermodynamics and kinetics determines the final structure, composition, and oxidation mechanism and
also provides the baseline for tailoring the structures and composition of materials to steer the reaction
toward the desired direction.
Monday, May 6, 2013
S2 Bldg. Room 140
PRESENTATION 2:30 PM– 3:30PM
ALL WELCOME – COFFEE AND REFRESHMENTS AT 2:20PM