14 pupils took part in a chemistry camp in the field of materials science this week. In collaboration with MINT-EC, they were able to experience for themselves how nanostructured titanium dioxide opens up exciting and sustainable application possibilities. Following experiments on corrosion protection and achieving color effects without chemical dyes using extremely thin, electrochemically generated oxide layers, the main focus was on the potential that porous surfaces offer for new applications:
Due to its crystal structure and semiconductor properties, titanium dioxide is basically a well-suited material for the production of new types of solar cells, special gas sensors such as alcohol testers and inexpensive and environmentally friendly sodium-ion batteries, but can only really exploit its advantages through nanotechnology. The highly motivated young people therefore first used a scanning electron microscope in collaboration with the Institute of Biophysical Chemistry to examine and characterize the nanostructures they had produced before experimentally demonstrating their advantages themselves. But the nano-materials they produced themselves could do even more: through further chemical modification, they can be used to produce electrodes that can be used to synthesize valuable basic materials for the chemical industry using regeneratively generated electrical energy, which of course could also be demonstrated directly in the XLAB.
The experimental work was supplemented by a stimulating discussion with Mr. Beushausen and Ms. Stec from the companies Piller and Sartorius from the southern Lower Saxony region, who, together with trainees, described training and career prospects for future scientific specialists in the metal industry and thus provided the participants with interesting insights.
The camp was sponsored by the Verband der Metallindustriellen Niedersachsens - Bezirksgruppe Süd e.V. Managing Director Dinah Stollwerck-Bauer visited the young men and women in the laboratory and was impressed by their skills and motivation.