Research instituteCenter for Electrochemical Surface Technology (ZEO)
The Centre for Electrochemical Surface Technology ZEO was entrepreneured by Prof. Dr. Sörgel in 2021. We focus on the processing of surfaces (surfacing and ablation) using electrochemical methods.
Against this background, various approaches are pursued to structure surfaces in a targeted manner, in particular by using self-organization phenomena. Applications in the field (of) biomimetics include superhydrophobic and superoleophobic surfaces. The special field of research activities in the field of electroplating is chemical and electrochemical dispersion deposition. In this process, evenly distributed solid particles (dispersoids) are incorporated into a generally metallic matrix (binding phase).
This enables the synergetic combination of the properties of the matrix material and the embedded particles. In our working group, we deal with fundamental questions with regard to a good understanding of the relationships between the deposition parameters, the layer structure and the associated layer properties. The focus here is on the possibilities of achieving homogeneous, agglomerate-free dispersoid incorporation and maximizing the achievable intercalation fraction. In this context, a special field is the required, necessary particle functionalization. Depending on the type of particle, the latter is also required, necessary for the incorporation of submicrometer-scale particles. In addition to modified layer properties, these also enable the use of conventional systems engineering and thus contribute to the further spread of dispersion layers by reducing investment and production costs. New suitable matrix materials (metallic, organic, oxidic) are also being researched. This is also being done with regard to their environmental compatibility. In this way, possible replacement coatings for already commercially established coating systems are also to be found. Battery electrodes are emerging as a promising new application for dispersion layers. Here we have developed our own patented process, known as composite electroforming. This combines classic electroforming with dispersion deposition. In this way, it is possible to produce structured composite films with a high proportion of active material. To date, we have scaled up this process, including its commercial, economical, profitable financial cost-effectiveness, to pilot plant scale in numerous projects
