LaRGIS laboratory is equipped with all facilities allowing the preparation and characterization of coatings. The list of our equipment is therefore split up into preparation techniques (Plasma process, spray coating, spin coating, etc.)and analyzing techniques (as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), AFM, etc.)
Atmospheric plasma jet system
Plasma polymerization and plasma treatment is performed using an AS400 atmospheric pressure plasma jet (Plasmatreat GmbH, Germany). In this process, plasma parameters can be adjusted via a software interface, designed to control the different aspects of plasma generation and polymerization. Atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization can be advantageous due to its lower energy consumption, shorter processing times, lack of need for vacuum equipment and considerably higher growth rates.
Contact angle goniometry
Contact angle and contact angle hysteresis measurement is performed using a Kruss™ DSA100 goniometer equipped with a video camera.
Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
Surface morphology is studied using a Digital Instruments multimode atomic force microscope with IIIa controller (Digital Instruments, USA).
X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES)
A XPS/AES system jointly manufactured by Staib Instruments GmbH (Germany) and Plasmionique (Quebec, Canada) is used. This system is equipped with two different side chambers, which can be utilized to prepare the sample for further analysis. These two side chambers are equipped with a magnetron sputtering reactor, a plasma generator and an ion gun, which can be used to prepare the sample prior to transferring it to the main analysis chamber. The resulted spectra from XPS and AES are further analysed using CasaXPS, an analysis software developed by Casa Software Ltd. (UK).
Accelerated weathering
In order to estimate the surface stability against natural factors, a simulated but accelerated natural condition should be provided. In order to do so, a QUV accelerated weathering tester manufactured by Q-LAB (USA) is used. This accelerated weathering tester is capable of UV exposure and water spray or condensation.
Corrosion test
Electrochemical experiments are conducted by using a Biologic SP-300 under control of EC-Lab® software.
A cold plasma hybrid system with possibility of sputtering, etching, surface treatment and plasma polymerization
An inductively coupled radio frequency (13.56 MHz) system (HICP-600SB PECVD; Plasmionique Inc) is used to plasma treatment, sputtering and plasma polymerization.
Spin-coater
Anodization unit
Nikon Polarizing Microscope
