Challenges and Opportunities in Corrosion Management of Engineering Metals through Small Molecular Inhibitors

Guest Speaker： Prof. Xiaobo Chen，RMIT University, Australia

Inviter: Prof. Shuai Dong

Date&Time: Thursday, 23rd Oct. 14:00-16:00

Venue: Meeting Room 216, Building B, School of Materials Science and Engineering

Biography:

Professor Xiaobo Chen, earned his PhD from Deakin University in 2009 for his work on Materials Science and Engineering and then joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Monash University as Postdoctoral Research Fellow, DECRA Research Fellow and Senior Research Fellow. Since March 2017, Dr Chen has been working at RMIT as VC Senior Lecturer and now Full Professor (tenured), based in the School of Engineering. His research aims to provide functional surface characteristics upon a variety of metal materials to meet the requirements for a large range of engineering applications in automotive, 3C and biomedical industries. Prof. Chen has attracted extensive research funding from the Australian Research Council (Australian Equivalent to NSFC) as Lead Chief Investigator. He completed a number of research contracts with the Baosteel-Australia Joint Research Centre, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, BASF Coatings GmbH and Signature Orthopaedics Pty Ltd. Xiaobo has achieved 240+ publications since commencing his PhD in 2005. According to Scopus Records, his h-index factor is 59 from over 11000 citations at the last count in Oct 2025. He has been serving as editorial member and associate editor of a number of high-impact journals, such as Journal of Materials Science and Technology, Corrosion Science, and Corrosion Communications.

Abstract:

Corrosion is a great challenge in terms of structural metal components in a variety of industrial sector. In general, there are two straightforward methodologies to suppress corrosion issues, microstructural optimisation and surface engineering. Addition of noble alloying elements, such as Cr, Ni and even As, into the bulk matrix which may lead to favorable microstructure, grain size or kinetic restriction to corrosion kinetics (with attendant changes in properties and cost). The other intensively exploited approach is applying stable and inert coatings onto the surface of metal as barrier to provide protection. Compared to alloying counterpart, surface properties will be altered rather than the fundamental properties of the bulk materials and desirable protection can be obtained by means of simply and efficient processing procedures. However, it is rare to see any coatings with sustainable protection over a long term of service. Therefore, we attempt to propose an alternative strategy to tackle the corrosion issue of metal exceeding both alloying and coatings, say small molecular inhibitors. Through prompt reaction with surface of metal, sound inhibitors are able to establish a robust and protective thin film against corrosion attack. This talk will highlight our latest research progress towards design and development of smart and green inhibitors onto steel and Mg alloys as alternative approaches for future commercialisation.