Materials and environmental surface science
The major focus of the Materials and Environmental Surface Science Sector is the structure and chemistry of solid surfaces and interfaces. Particular emphasis is given to the study surface reaction, transport and exchange mechanisms at the atomic scale. The application and development of surface science techniques, including surface analysis and synchrotron-based techniques has been a core strength of the Sector’s activities, has contributed widely to projects in other Sectors, programs of the Special Research Centre for Particle and Materials Interfaces and has facilitated research across
The Wark in general.
Current research areas include:
Deposition, Processing and Characterization of Coatings and Thin Films
Physical and chemical vapour deposition (PVD, CVD), plasma processing (deposition, polymerization and activation), recipitation, sol-gel and epitaxial growth.
Mineral Surface Chemistry and Reactivity – Oxidation, Adsorption, Dissolution
Pristine surfaces and structure-reactivity relationships, reactions at mineral surfaces in minerals processing environments, leaching of minerals and mobilization of metals in both hydrometallugical and environmental contexts, base metal sulfides, mineral sands etc.
Quantum Chemical Modeling of Solids and Surfaces
Quantum chemical, surface science and structural studies of the processes occurring on minerals and materials during processing. Quantum chemical modelling, numerical modelling of dynamical systems. Solid state physics
Applications of Surface Analysis
Development of laboratory-based surface analysis techniques such as X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
(ToF-SIMS) for
research and
consultancy.
Development of Synchrotron Science Applications
We have routinely used a range of synchrotron-based methods over many years
to supplement in-house measurement. Examples at Synchrotron Science @ The
Wark.
Facilities used in USA, Japan, Taiwan, Europe and Canada. We are well placed to take advantage of the new Australian Synchrotron under construction in Melbourne, Victoria.
The Wark is also heavily involved in the development of synchrotron
science in Australia with membership of the Australian
Synchrotron Research Program (ASRP) Taiwan NSRRC Specialist Committee
and Beamline 6 Advisory Panel at the Australian Synchrotron. Beamline 6 is
the Soft X-ray Spectroscopy beamline and will be one of the first stage
facilities constructed.
Forensic Analysis
Development of new techniques for forensic trace evidence analysis. Applied synchrotron science for forensics analysis
Materials Surface Science
Metals manufacture, smelting, ceramics. Microelectronics and photovoltaics.
Crystallisation and Precipitation
Precipitation processes and mechanisms. Bayer Process of alumina precipitation. Scale formation and prevention mechanisms. Crystallisation in the nuclear industry.
Metallurgical Joining and Corrosion
Welding, annealing, grain boundaries and aging of metals and materials. Plasma processing (nitriding and hard coating technologies)
Environmental Surface Chemistry
Analysis of metals in soils and tissues. Transport mechanisms in the rhizosphere (soil-root interface). Reaction mechanisms in bioremediation (adsorption, sequestration and decomposition)